It's official! The International Bank for Commerce and Industry of Senegal (BICIS) has become SUNU Bank Senegal. This change in the bank's name was formalized this Thursday, October 23, 2025, in the presence of Mr. Mohamed Lamine Bah, Managing Director of the SUNU Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SUNU Bank Senegal (formerly BICIS); Ms. Ndèye Coumba Aw, Managing Director of SUNU Bank Senegal (formerly BICIS); Mr. Bassirou Sarr, Chief of Staff of the Minister of Finance and Budget, representing Minister Cheikh Diba; among others.

A new page in the history of BICIS

In a festive atmosphere filled with sounds and lights, the official launch ceremony of SUNU Bank Senegal took place in the gardens of a chic hotel in Dakar. The announcement, unveiling, and official presentation of this new visual identity to the general public took place before a distinguished audience of guests, including employees, partners, clients, artists, and journalists.

Since April 28, 2023, the International Bank for Commerce and Industry of Senegal (BICIS) has officially joined the pan-African financial services group SUNU. Today, it officially becomes SUNU Bank Senegal. This name change thus opens a new page in the history of BICIS, confirming its determination to consolidate its development and its ambition to serve its individual, professional, and corporate clients, while guaranteeing them a quality of service that meets international standards.

“This change is an affirmation of identity, a strategic turning point and a promise for the future.”

On this occasion, the Managing Director of SUNU Bank Senegal (formerly BICIS), in her opening remarks, reviewed the details of this rebranding of BICIS to SUNU Bank. "After more than 60 years of existence, our bank is opening a new chapter in its history. From now on, BICIS becomes SUNU Bank Senegal," emphasized Ms. Ndèye Coumba Aw.

She adds: "This change is not just a name change. It is an affirmation of identity, a strategic shift and a promise for the future. SUNU Bank Senegal is part of the dynamics of a solid, visionary and ambitious pan-African group: the SUNU group, a major player in insurance and now integrated financial services. But above all, SUNU Bank Senegal wants to be the symbol of a new hope, that of believing, more than ever, in the capacity of Africans to build, manage and make high-level institutions prosper, according to international standards, while remaining deeply rooted in our realities and our values."

According to Ms. Ndèye Coumba Aw, since the acquisition of BICIS by the SUNU group on July 28, 2022, the bank has achieved many milestones, overcome challenges, and demonstrated its ability to transcend itself. According to her, between 2023 and 2024, for the first time in its history, BICIS increased its net income by 25.6%. Better still, it gained three places in the ranking of banks in Senegal: from 9th position in 2023, it rose to 6th place in 2024.

The Managing Director of SUNU Bank Senegal (formerly BICIS) maintains that these results are not the result of chance but rather reflect the work, commitment, and faith in this transformation. "They also remind us of one thing: we no longer have the right to do less. The ambition is clear: to join the top three Senegalese banks. And I am convinced: we will achieve it. Together. SUNU Bank Senegal is more than a new name: it is a vision, a collective energy, and a shared pride," said Ms. Ndèye Coumba Aw. Before thanking everyone for their contribution to this wonderful adventure that is just beginning.

“Our ambition is to be among the top 3 banks in Senegal.”

The Managing Director of the SUNU Group and Chairman of the Board of Directors of SUNU Bank Senegal, for his part, explained that it is not at all easy for a bank that is over 60 years old to change its name because the brand is already established. But for him, everything had to be done to have a bank called SUNU Bank in Senegal.

"Today, I think everyone is convinced that it was a good decision we made. And SUNU Bank Senegal is gaining market share and will continue its rise to the podium," reassured Mr. Mohamed Lamine Bah.

"Our vision is that SUNU Bank must truly regain its rightful place in the Senegalese market, restore BICIS to what it was in its early years, and above all ensure that we can contribute to the development of our country and the continent. Our ambition is to be among the top three banks in Senegal," he added.

For Mr. Bah, SUNU Bank Senegal is not just a name. "It is a promise for the future, a source of African pride, a source of Senegalese pride, but also a collective adventure," said the SUNU Group's Managing Director.

   

"The State wants this new adventure to be as successful as possible for its population."

Speaking on behalf of the Minister of Finance and Budget of Senegal, Mr. Bassirou Sarr first congratulated the SUNU group which, according to him, believed in Senegal's story by choosing SUNU Bank Senegal to launch its venture in Africa.

As a shareholder of SUNU Bank Senegal (formerly BICIS) since 1975, the Chief of Staff of Minister Cheikh Diba stated that the State wants this new adventure to be as successful as possible for its population. "A strong financial sector must be supported by Senegalese banking groups that are strong not only for our economy but also that will be able to project themselves into the sub-region. And we believe that this experience will serve the development of your banking network," said Mr. Sarr, while encouraging employees to continue on this path of hope.

The meeting was brought to a close with a cocktail reception and a high-quality performance by artists Abdou Guité Seck and Abdoulaye Cissokho.

SUNU, a pan-African financial services group present in 17 countries in West and Central Africa

It should be remembered that SUNU is a pan-African financial services group present in 17 countries in West and Central Africa. With more than thirty companies including nine (9) life insurance companies, 17 property and casualty insurance companies, two (2) banks, one microfinance company, two (2) health management companies, the Group has been a leader in life insurance in French-speaking sub-Saharan Africa for several years. It offers life insurance solutions, property and casualty insurance, banking products and services, health management solutions and asset management.

SUNU Bank, one of the main banks in Senegal with a network of 32 branches

SUNU Bank Senegal (formerly BICIS) was founded in 1962. It is a public limited company with a capital of 20 billion CFA francs, whose shareholders are: SUNU Group (since April 28, 2023), the State of Senegal, as well as Senegalese private individuals. The bank currently has a network of 32 branches, a Medical Business Unit and a business center dedicated to companies. SUNU Bank is one of the leading banks in Senegal that has developed a wide range of products and services for its individual and professional clients, covering all their needs. It also offers a comprehensive range of services to its corporate (large companies and SMEs) and institutional clients.