French banks leave Africa as Moroccan groups move into the space

Moroccan banks have grown into a different league. Long focused on their domestic market, Attijariwafa bank, Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) and Bank of Africa (BOA) now have networks covering a large part of the continent.

In an analysis published on 2 September, African Business estimates that this expansion now makes Morocco Africa’s “second-largest regional banking power”, behind South Africa.

The assessment is based in particular on the weight acquired by the African operations of the three main Moroccan groups. Attijariwafa bank now operates in at least 15 other African markets, BCP in 18 and Bank of Africa in 20.

This presence is particularly strong in West Africa, where Moroccan banks have gradually reclaimed part of the ground abandoned by major European institutions. An evolution that was already visible when French banks began withdrawing massively from Africa.

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Activities outside Morocco now account for a considerable share of the three groups’ business. According to African Business, they represent approximately 25% at Attijariwafa bank, 25% at BCP and up to 40% at Bank of Africa in terms of their revenues and assets.

BOA is therefore the Moroccan group that has taken its internationalization the furthest. It is no longer limited to West and Central Africa and also has a significant presence in East Africa.

Moroccan banks benefit from Europe’s withdrawal

This progress has taken place alongside the retreat of several major European banking groups from the continent.

BNP Paribas is notably leaving BMCI’s capital in Morocco after already withdrawing from several West and Central African markets. Société Générale has also sold numerous African subsidiaries in recent years.

Moroccan groups have taken the opposite path. After beginning their continental development with retail banking, they are now expanding their activities into corporate finance, international trade, investment banking and cross-border payments.

This strategy could benefit further from the rise of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which is expected to increase trade between African countries and therefore the need for trade finance, foreign currencies and payment systems between states.

African growth is also taking place as the banks continue to strengthen their foothold in Morocco.

The total outstanding amount of loans distributed by Moroccan institutions reached 1,192 billion dirhams in 2025, representing a 6.5% increase in one year.

Loans granted on the domestic market rose by approximately 8%, their strongest increase since 2011. Financing for equipment even jumped by 25%, driven in particular by numerous investments in industry, transport, renewable energy and infrastructure.

This sustained activity is already reflected in the results. Moroccan banks earned 19.2 billion dirhams in 2025, up 22.2% year on year.

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The 2030 World Cup should also provide new opportunities for Moroccan institutions. The construction and renovation of stadiums, railways, airports and hotels will require considerable financing over the coming years.

Alongside this international expansion, the banks are also accelerating their digital transformation. African Business notably cites BCP and its Chaabi Pay ecosystem, which had 13.8 million registered users at the end of 2024, compared with 10.3 million one year earlier.

The banking penetration rate is also continuing to rise. Approximately 56% of Moroccan adults held a bank account in 2025, compared with only 42 to 44% five years earlier.

The domestic market is therefore still far from saturated, while the major Moroccan groups continue their conquest of the continent. It is this combination of domestic strength and pan-African presence that now allows Morocco to be presented as Africa’s second-largest regional banking power, just behind South Africa.