Idrissa Nassa has become one of the most influential figures in West Africa’s financial landscape, steering Coris Bank International from a modest microfinance initiative into a rapidly expanding regional banking group. His work reflects a blend of strategic foresight, disciplined execution and an unwavering belief in Africa’s economic potential.
Nassa founded Coris Bank International in 2008, beginning first with microfinance operations in Burkina Faso before transitioning into full commercial banking. As reported by international business outlets, his leadership has transformed Coris into one of the fastest growing banking institutions within the West African Monetary and Economic Union. Today the bank operates in several countries including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Togo, Mali, Benin, Senegal, Niger, Guinea, Guinea Bissau and Chad. Its Togolese subsidiary reported assets of approximately 845 million dollars in early 2025 according to figures from Billionaires Africa, showcasing the strength of its regional network.
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Under Nassa’s guidance, Coris Bank has also expanded through strategic acquisitions. In 2024 the institution completed the takeover of Société Générale’s former subsidiary in Chad, a move that deepened its presence in Central Africa. It had earlier taken over Standard Chartered’s retail banking operations in Côte d’Ivoire, a decision that strengthened its customer base and accelerated growth in one of the region’s most competitive financial markets. These expansion milestones align with Nassa’s long-term aspiration to build a truly pan-African financial powerhouse.
Coris Bank’s operating performance reflects the effectiveness of this strategy. In the first half of 2025 the bank posted a net profit of about 60 million dollars as highlighted by Billionaires Africa. This performance is particularly notable given the volatility of the regional economic environment, confirming the bank’s disciplined approach to risk, asset quality and financial innovation. Analysts now rank Coris Bank among the top three banking groups in the West African Monetary and Economic Union, with close to a ten percent market share according to reports from The Africa Report.
Beyond banking, Nassa has championed diversification in sectors such as energy and mining through the Coris Investment Group. Industry reports note that his group acquired petroleum assets from TotalEnergies in Burkina Faso, signaling an ambition to create a multi-sector enterprise with the financial strength necessary to support Africa’s growth industries. He has also expressed interest in expanding deeper into Central Africa, with exploratory moves toward establishing operations in Gabon.
In recognition of his leadership, Idrissa Nassa was named CEO of the Year at the 2025 Africa CEO Forum Awards. The honor, as reported by The Africa Business Index, highlights his success in transforming Coris Bank from a young local institution into a respected regional player. The award reflects both his strategic acumen and his influence on West Africa’s financial sector.
Idrissa Nassa’s journey embodies the possibilities of African entrepreneurship when vision meets action. Through disciplined expansion, bold acquisitions and a commitment to regional integration, he has positioned Coris Bank International as a model for modern African banking. His leadership continues to shape the industry, offering a compelling example of how homegrown institutions can compete and thrive on the continent’s financial stage.
