• Development Partners International sold its 20.17% stake in Atlantic Business International for more than $200 million.
• The transaction valued Atlantic Business International at more than $1 billion and transferred the stake to Morocco’s Banque Centrale Populaire.
• Banque Centrale Populaire now holds 100% of Atlantic Business International following DPI’s exit.

Asafo & Co announced on Tuesday, January 6, 2026, that it advised Development Partners International (DPI) on legal aspects related to the sale of its 20.17% stake in Atlantic Business International (ABI). Morocco-based banking group Banque Centrale Populaire (BCP) acquired the stake. The transaction exceeded $200 million and valued ABI’s total share capital at more than $1 billion.

The deal marked DPI’s full exit from ABI’s shareholding structure. The fund entered ABI’s capital in 2017 as part of a strategy aimed at supporting the expansion of high-potential African financial groups.

BCP Group now fully controls ABI

Atlantic Business International serves as the financial holding company of the BCP Group in West and Central Africa. The group operates in the eight member states of the West African Economic and Monetary Union, as well as in Guinea. ABI conducts its activities through 10 banks, four insurance companies, and asset management subsidiaries.

As of June 30, 2025, ABI ranked as the fifth-largest banking group in the UMOA region and Guinea, with outstanding loans totaling 38.9 billion dirhams.

Following DPI’s exit, Banque Centrale Populaire now owns 100% of ABI’s share capital and voting rights. This full control strengthens the group’s ability to directly steer its regional strategy and coordinate its African subsidiaries. The transaction aligned with BCP Group’s strategy to consolidate its presence in Africa and expand its banking operations.

Chamberline Moko