Othman Benjelloun

Summary

Othman Benjelloun (Tamazight: ⵄⴻⵜⵎⴰⵏ ⴱⴰⵏⵊⴰⵍⵍⵓⵏ; Arabic: عثمان بن جلون; born 1932) is a Moroccan banker billionaire businessman. He is known for co-founding of BMCE Bank and Bank of Africa, and serves as its chairman, chief executive officer. In February 2022, his net worth was estimated by Forbes at US$1.6 billion.[1]

Othman Benjelloun
Benjelloun in 2010
Born (1932-01-20) January 20, 1932 (age 92)
Fez, Morocco
EducationEcole Polytechnique de Lausanne
Occupation(s)Banker, businessman
Known forOwner of a bank and insurance company
Spouse
(m. 1960)
ChildrenKamal Benjelloun
Donya Benjelloun
Atlas Benjelloun

Career edit

Benjelloun's father was a large shareholder in an insurance company that Benjelloun later took over in 1988. He turned this into RMA Watanya. After purchasing the insurance company, Benjelloun expanded the business venture into the banking industry. His banking enterprise, the BMCE Bank has its presence felt in at least 12 countries in Africa after it purchased the Mali-based Bank of Africa. The banking aspect of Benjelloun's business career is worth $4 billion based solely on its market capitalization profits.

Benjelloun received an education in engineering at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland.[2] During the 1960s and 1970s, he made strategic alliances with global automobile manufacturers Volvo and General Motors. He is also the chairman of Meditelecom along with being associated with Telefónica and Portugal Telecom.[2] He is a member of the World Union of Arab Bankers.[2]

Personal life edit

He is a member of the prominent Benjelloun family from Fez, Morocco.

He is married to Leila Mezian, daughter of the Moroccan General Mohamed Meziane. He has two children Kamal Benjelloun and Dounia Benjelloun.

Awards edit

  • 2022 Best African Personality[3]

See also edit

References edit

  1. ^ "#2263 Othman Benjelloun & family". Forbes. 9 February 2022. Archived from the original on 9 February 2022. Retrieved 17 October 2022.
  2. ^ a b c Othman Benjelloun biography at Silobreaker[permanent dead link]
  3. ^ Kasraoui, Safaa. "Othman Benjelloun Wins 2022 'Best African Personality' Award". moroccoworldnews. Retrieved 19 February 2023.

Bibliography edit

  • "Les 50 personnalités qui font le Maroc : Othman Benjelloun. 79 ans, PDG de BMCE et de FinanceCom", Jeune Afrique, pp. 2545–2546, 18–31 October 2009, p. 40