Early Life
Othman Benjelloun was born in Fez, Morocco, in 1932. He comes from a prominent family with a strong business background. His father was involved in the insurance industry. Benjelloun's early exposure to finance and business laid the foundation for his future success.
Rise to Success
Benjelloun's career is marked by strategic moves and visionary leadership. After his education at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland, he took over an insurance company, RMA Watanya, from his father and built it into a leading insurer. He then expanded into the banking industry, establishing BMCE Bank of Africa. The bank's presence now spans over 20 African countries, making it a major player in the continent's financial landscape. Benjelloun's expansion of BMCE Bank included the acquisition of Bank of Africa.
Key Business Strategies
Benjelloun’s key business strategies include strategic alliances with global automobile manufacturers Volvo and General Motors. He also made strategic partnerships with Telefónica and Portugal Telecom. His long-term investment vision is based on an in-depth approach and a pragmatic study of the issues. Furthermore, he has focused on expanding BMCE Bank's presence across Africa and building relationships with Chinese institutions to promote trade and investment.
Philanthropy
Benjelloun's philanthropic efforts are centered around the BMCE Bank Foundation, established in 1995, which focuses on education in rural areas through the Medersat.com Program and environmental protection initiatives. He also supports cultural sites.
