Moroccan Banks Strengthen Their Position in Africa’s 2026 Banking Rankings

Monday 12 - 22:30

Morocco’s banking sector continues to expand its presence in Africa, with Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) maintaining sixth place in the continent’s 2026 banking ranking and Bank of Africa advancing to ninth, according to figures published by African Business. The results highlight the scale of Moroccan banks’ capital bases and their growing footprint across African markets.

The ranking, which assesses financial institutions according to Tier 1 capital, also includes Crédit Immobilier et Hôtelier (CIH) in 31st place and Crédit Agricole du Maroc (CAM) in 33rd. Together, the four institutions illustrate the diversity of Morocco’s banking landscape, spanning major regional groups, housing finance and agricultural lending.

BCP Maintains Its Position as Bank of Africa Advances

BCP reported Tier 1 capital of $5.874 billion, supported by total assets of $62.78 billion and net profit of $618 million. Its sixth-place position reflects the scale of its core capital relative to other banking institutions across the continent.

Bank of Africa, meanwhile, recorded Tier 1 capital of $3.837 billion and total assets of $48.1 billion. Its net profit reached $868 million, placing it ninth in the ranking after an improvement of two positions.

The figures show differences in scale and profitability between the two groups. Although BCP reported a larger capital base and more total assets, Bank of Africa recorded higher net profit in the figures provided. The indicators measure different aspects of financial performance and should not be interpreted as interchangeable measures of a bank’s overall strength.

CIH and Crédit Agricole du Maroc Remain in the Top 35

The ranking also highlights the presence of two other Moroccan institutions among Africa’s leading banks.

CIH recorded Tier 1 capital of $1.06 billion, total assets of $17.99 billion and net profit of $134 million, securing 31st place.

Crédit Agricole du Maroc ranked 33rd, with Tier 1 capital of $1.014 billion, total assets of $15.66 billion and net profit of $24 million. Its business model is closely linked to financing Morocco’s agricultural sector, giving the institution a more specialized role within the national banking system.

The two banks operate with smaller capital bases than BCP and Bank of Africa, reflecting differences in their respective sizes and business activities.

Tier 1 Capital Offers a Measure of Financial Resilience

The ranking is based on Tier 1 capital, a key banking indicator used to assess an institution’s core financial resources and its capacity to absorb losses while continuing to operate.

Unlike total assets, which measure the overall scale of a bank’s balance sheet, Tier 1 capital focuses on the quality of its financial cushion. Net profit, meanwhile, provides an indication of earnings over a given period.

Taken together, these indicators offer complementary perspectives on the financial position of the four Moroccan institutions. However, a fuller assessment would also require consideration of factors such as asset quality, liquidity, risk exposure and regulatory capital ratios.

African Expansion Supports Moroccan Banks’ Regional Reach

BCP and Bank of Africa have developed operations beyond Morocco, particularly in West Africa, while BCP also maintains a presence in Central Africa. Their regional networks support retail banking, corporate financing and cross-border commercial activity.

This geographical reach connects Moroccan financial institutions with businesses and consumers in several African markets. It also places them within a banking environment where regional integration, business investment and trade financing are important areas of activity.

Their presence across multiple countries distinguishes the two groups from institutions whose activities are more concentrated in specific domestic sectors, such as agricultural financing.

Moroccan Banks’ Combined Capital Rises 14.8%

Beyond the four institutions highlighted individually, Morocco’s broader representation in the ranking points to the scale of its banking sector.

Nine Moroccan banks feature in the African top 100. Their combined Tier 1 capital reached $23.3 billion, compared with $20.3 billion in the previous edition, representing an increase of approximately 14.8%.

This expansion reinforces Morocco’s position as an important banking centre on the continent. The figures also suggest that the country’s financial institutions collectively maintain a substantial capital base, although the ranking alone does not establish how their performance compares across profitability, risk management or efficiency.

As Moroccan banks continue to operate in domestic and regional markets, their ability to sustain capital strength while managing risks and financing economic activity will remain central to their long-term development.