WHO IS IDRISSA NASSA ?

Entrepreneurial Journey
Born in Burkina Faso, Idrissa Nassa began his career in 1984 in the bicycle industry and international trade. By 1990, he had become one of the leading traders of consumer goods in West Africa. Starting in 1995, he diversified his investments into real estate, hospitality, and the graphic arts industry. In 2001, he acquired the struggling Financière du Burkina (FIB) and transformed it into Coris Bank International (CBI) in 2008. Under his leadership, CBI quickly rose to become one of the leading banks in Burkina Faso and expanded its presence across several African countries, including Côte d'Ivoire, Mali, Benin, Togo, Niger, Senegal, Guinea-Bissau, and Guinea.

Education and Strategic Vision
In 2024, Idrissa Nassa earned an Executive MBA in Economic Intelligence from the School of Economic Warfare (EGE) in Paris. His thesis, titled “The Economic War of Phosphate in the World,” highlights the geopolitical significance of this critical resource used in fertilizer production. This academic pursuit reflects Nassa’s firm belief that continuous learning is essential to maintaining efficiency and driving innovation in an ever-evolving global landscape.

A prominent figure in West Africa’s banking industry, the seasoned Burkinabè entrepreneur Idrissa Nassa has successfully driven the group’s strategic diversification and regional expansion.

Starting from modest roots as a microfinance institution in Burkina Faso, he has meticulously built a pan-African financial powerhouse. This outstanding achievement earned him the CEO of the Year award at the 2025 Africa CEO Forum, organized by Jeune Afrique Media Group in collaboration with global consultancy Mazars.

This distinction highlights an exceptional journey at the head of Coris Bank International (CBI), marked by resilience and vision in a constantly shifting global and regional economic landscape.

Today, Coris Bank established in 2008, is the third-largest banking group in the West African Monetary Union (UMOA), holding nearly 10% of the market share. It operates across all eight UEMOA countries as well as in Guinea, Chad, and Cabo Verde.

Standard Chartered and Société Générale Acquisitions

In just a few years, Burkinabè banker and entrepreneur Idrissa Nassa has transformed Coris Bank International (CBI) into one of West Africa’s most dynamic banking institutions. After acquiring Standard Chartered’s operations in Côte d’Ivoire, CBI went on to purchase a 67.8% stake in Société Générale’s Chadian subsidiary.

Idrissa Nassa embodies visionary and committed leadership, having transformed Coris Bank International into a major player in the African banking sector. His journey reflects a unique ability to combine economic performance, strategic expansion, and social responsibility, making him a prominent figure in contemporary African finance.