(Ecofin Agency) - Attijariwafa, the Moroccan leader of banking, plans this year to continue its expansion across East and West Africa. According to Bloomberg which disclosed this, the group, to spur its growth, will focus on consolidating its new acquisitions,.

In this framework, the bank aims to finalize the acquisition of Cogebanque, Rwanda’s third largest bank by assets. Indeed, the Moroccan lender had reached an agreement valued at $41 million with the Catholic Church that held the institution, to get 75% of its capital.

In Chad, Attijariwafa wishes to launch its activities in commercial banking this year, while it submitted a bid for a banking license in Ghana.

Ismail Douiri, Attijariwafa’s Managing Director, said the firm slowed its introduction in Nigeria to focus on consolidating Barclays Egypt which it just acquired.

Present in 26 nations across the continent, Atttijariwafa expects a growth of 5%-10% in 2017.

Aaron Akinocho