KEY POINTS
-
Coris Holding receives $115.7 million to expand banking access in West Africa.
-
The investment supports financial inclusion and SME growth.
-
Coris strengthens its regional footprint with new European partnerships.
Coris Holding, the financial group founded by Burkinabe entrepreneur Idrissa Nassa, has secured €100 million ($115.7 million) in fresh co-investment from Mediterrania Capital Partners and a consortium of European development finance institutions. The funding aims to strengthen Coris Holding’s presence across Africa and widen banking access for small businesses and underserved communities.
Coris Holding financial inclusion gains fresh momentum
The new capital injection was led by Mediterrania Capital Partners, with backing from several major European DFIs including FMO, British International Investment, BIO of Belgium, and Impact Fund Denmark. The group’s goal is to deepen access to finance in markets where capital remains scarce.
Albert Alsina, CEO of Mediterrania Capital Partners, said the partnership reflects a shared vision to support sustainable growth. “Financial inclusion is a cornerstone of Africa’s long-term development and a catalyst for entrepreneurship, job creation and improved living standards,” he explained. “Our collaboration with Coris Holding underscores our commitment to promoting social progress and economic resilience across the region.”
Idrissa Nassa, who grew Coris from a modest $3 million in seed capital to a financial group managing over $9 billion in assets, said the deal will accelerate Coris Holding’s ambitions. “This partnership will strengthen our regional footprint and help us deliver innovative, inclusive financial solutions to customers across Africa,” he said.
Expanding SME access through regional partnerships
Coris Bank, founded in 2008 under Nassa’s leadership, has emerged as one of West Africa’s most influential lenders, with operations across ten countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Mali, Guinea and Chad, as well as additional branches in Niger and Guinea-Bissau.
According to Billionaire Africa, Maty Ndiaye, Mediterrania Capital Partners’ managing director for West Africa, noted that Coris Holding’s model aligns closely with the region’s development priorities. “Coris has proven its ability to serve small and medium-sized enterprises—key drivers of employment and trade,” Ndiaye said. “We’re proud to contribute to the next phase of Coris Holding financial inclusion and growth.”
The new investment follows a pattern of partnerships aimed at boosting access to capital. In June, Coris Bank secured a €30 million ($34.3 million) loan from Proparco to support SME lending in Côte d’Ivoire. Earlier this year, Coris also teamed up with Proparco on a €7 million ($7.6 million) trade finance deal to help import raw materials for industries in Chad.
Together, these efforts reinforce Coris Holding’s position as a catalyst for financial inclusion and regional economic expansion, one that continues to reshape access to banking and credit across West Africa.
