Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire (BBGCI) has announced a significant increase in its net profit for the first half of 2026. According to a communiqué released on September 28, 2026, the bank's net profit rose by 46% to 15.2 billion CFA francs compared to the same period in 2025. This growth was attributed to an increase in the bank's business activity and improved operational efficiency. The announcement was made four days after the bank's official listing on the Regional Stock Exchange (BRVM) under the symbol "BBGC".
The bank's financial performance for the first half of 2026 was impressive, with its net banking income (NBI) reaching 37.7 billion CFA francs, up 25% from 30.2 billion CFA francs in the same period last year. This growth was driven by a 28% increase in customer loans, which rose from 645.3 billion CFA francs to 823.9 billion CFA francs, and a 46% increase in deposits, which reached 1,318.3 billion CFA francs, up from 903.6 billion CFA francs at the end of June 2025.
The bank's operational efficiency also improved during the period, with its general expenses increasing by 16%, a rate lower than the growth in net banking income. This resulted in a positive scissors effect of nine points, enabling the bank to reduce its operating coefficient from 43.3% to 40.3%. As a result, the bank's gross operating profit rose by 31% to 22.5 billion CFA francs, compared to 17.2 billion CFA francs in the first half of 2025.
The bank's profit before tax also increased significantly, reaching 18.2 billion CFA francs, up from 13.4 billion CFA francs in the same period last year. This performance builds on the bank's strong results for the 2025 financial year, when it reported a net profit of 27.2 billion CFA francs, up 19% from the previous year, with a return on equity of 28.50% and a total balance sheet of over 1,427 billion CFA francs.
The announcement of these results comes at a significant time for the bank, which listed on the BRVM on September 24, 2026. The initial public offering (IPO) was highly successful, with all 10 million shares offered to the public being subscribed to in less than 24 hours. The IPO was approved by the West African Monetary Union's Financial Market Authority (AMF-UMOA) under number OA/26-03.
The bank's listing on the BRVM marks a new stage in its development, and the bank's management is optimistic about its future prospects. Founded in 2006, BBGCI provides financial services to a diverse range of clients, including individuals, small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), large corporations, institutions, and investors in Côte d'Ivoire and Senegal.
With a workforce of 384 employees, including 51% women, BBGCI is committed to providing innovative financial solutions to its clients. The bank's strong performance in the first half of 2026 demonstrates its potential for growth and its ability to navigate the challenges of the financial sector in West Africa. The bank's management is expected to continue to build on this momentum in the second half of 2026 and beyond.
Key points
- Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire's net profit increased by 46% to 15.2 billion CFA francs in the first half of 2026.
- The bank's net banking income rose by 25% to 37.7 billion CFA francs, driven by growth in customer loans and deposits.
- The bank's listing on the BRVM on September 24, 2026, marked a new stage in its development and was highly successful, with all shares offered to the public being subscribed to in less than 24 hours.
