• BICICI posted a net profit of CFA36.5 billion ($65.4 million), up 39.3% year-on-year in 2025.

• Customer loans fell to CFA524.4 billion as the bank shifted liquidity toward government securities.

• Deposits rose 16% to nearly CFA953 billion, strengthening the bank’s funding base.

BICICI reported a sharp rise in annual profit for 2025, as stronger income generation and cost control offset a decline in customer lending. The bank posted a net profit of CFA36.5 billion ($65.4 million), up 39.3% from CFA26.2 billion in 2024, according to its financial statements for the year ended December 31, 2025.

Revenue growth drove the performance. Consequently, the bank’s net banking income rose nearly 17% to CFA79.5 billion from CFA68 billion a year earlier. The bank attributed this increase mainly to higher interest income and fee revenue.

Cost discipline also supported profitability. Operating expenses remained broadly stable at CFA34.2 billion. Meanwhile, risk costs increased slightly to CFA1.5 billion fbut remained contained. As a result, operating income rose to CFA40.6 billion from CFA28.8 billion in 2024.

The bank confirmed its strong balance sheet position. Total assets reached CFA1,126 billion, while equity stood at CFA120.5 billion, reinforcing its financial stability in the Ivorian banking sector.

Decline in lending activity

Despite strong earnings, BICICI recorded a decline in customer credit. Loans to clients fell to CFA524.4 billion from nearly CFA565 billion in 2024. This contraction contrasted with stronger deposit inflows.

Customer deposits increased 16% to nearly CFA953 billion. Consequently, the bank redirected a significant portion of liquidity toward government securities.

Holdings of public securities rose above CFA400 billion, compared with CFA282 billion a year earlier. The bank favored these lower-risk assets to secure returns and manage risk exposure.

However, this allocation reduced the share of funding directed toward private-sector credit. As a result, the bank limited its direct financing role in the Ivorian economy despite improved profitability.

Sandrine Gaingne