Dans un communiqué publié lundi 23 décembre 2024, l' Etat béninois a annoncé le lancement d' une Offre publique de vente (OPV) pour céder une part significative de son capital dans la Banque International for Industry and Commerce (BIIC)

The sale of the shares aims to sell between 30.4% and 40% of the shares owned by the State, representing a volume of between 17,558,979 and 23,103,920 shares. The press release indicates that the sale price is fixed at 5,250 FCFA per share, thus making it possible to mobilize between 92.2 and 121.3 billion FCFA. The subscription period is scheduled from January 13 to February 28, 2025, with the possibility of early closure in case of high demand. The initiative of the Beninese State is part of an approach aimed at “promoting transparency in financial transactions”. This is the “second OPV of the State in 2024". The aim of this initiative is to “stimulate the regional stock market and to further involve the private sector in the ownership of the BIIC

The State of Benin requested EDC Investment Corporation (EIC) as the main arranger in order to ensure the success of this share sale transaction.

In reality, the BIIC was created in 2020 following the merger of the International Bank of Benin (BIBE) and the African Bank for Industry and Commerce (BAIC) and it is Industry and Commerce (BAIC). Since its creation, it has established itself “as a major player in the Beninese banking sector”. The bank has a solid financial performance.