Genesis Holding Acquires 10% Stake in FBNBank Senegal

Daba Finance/Genesis Holding Acquires 10% Stake in First Bank Senegal

BREAKING NEWSFebruary 19, 2026 at 4:06 PM UTC

TLDR

Genesis Holding Company acquires 10% stake in FBNBank Senegal, marking the first investor from WAEMU region to invest in the bank.
Investment aligns with Genesis Holding's strategy for African financial sector expansion, demonstrating confidence in Senegal's economy.
FBNBank Senegal views the partnership as a boost for growth and a step towards reinforcing the banking system in the WAEMU region.

Genesis Holding Company has acquired a 10 percent stake in FBNBank Senegal, becoming the first investor from the WAEMU region to join the bank’s shareholder base.

Financial terms were not disclosed. The Abidjan-based holding company said the move aligns with its strategy to expand across Africa’s financial sector and reflects confidence in Senegal’s economic fundamentals.

FBNBank Senegal, a subsidiary of First Bank of Nigeria Group, operates in the Senegalese market and provides financial services to businesses, institutions, and individuals. The bank described the transaction as a sign of confidence in its growth path.

“We have confidence in the Senegalese economy and believe it is essential to support the financial sector to accompany economic growth in this leading country of the WAEMU. Our investment in FBNBank Senegal, one of the most innovative and fastest growing banks in the Senegalese banking market, is fully in line with this dynamic,” said Charles KIE, Chairman and CEO of Genesis Holding Company.

For its part, FBNBank Senegal sees this entry into the capital as a strong signal for the market and a lever for consolidating its growth trajectory.

“We are pleased to welcome to our shareholder base an investor such as Genesis Holding Company, whose credibility in the financial industry is firmly established,” stressed Omar DIOUM, Managing Director of FBNBank Senegal.

The partnership is positioned as support for the financial sector within WAEMU economies. Both institutions said the deal reinforces efforts to build a resilient banking system in the region

In the photo above are, from left to right: Oumar DIOUM, Managing Director, FBNBANK Senegal; Isabelle DJENI, Deputy Managing Director, Genesis Holding Company (GHC), and Charles KIE, Chairman & CEO, Genesis Holding Company (GHC)

Key Takeaways

Cross-border investment within WAEMU remains limited compared with flows from global banking groups. A regional investor taking a direct equity stake in a Senegalese bank signals growing intra-African capital integration. Senegal has posted steady growth in recent years and is entering a new phase of oil and gas production. A stronger domestic banking system will be central to financing infrastructure, SMEs and trade. By entering the shareholder base, Genesis gains exposure to Senegal’s financial sector while diversifying its portfolio beyond Côte d’Ivoire. For FBNBank Senegal, the addition of a WAEMU investor broadens its capital base and may strengthen regional partnerships. The transaction reflects a broader trend of Pan-African financial groups seeking scale through targeted equity stakes rather than full acquisitions.

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