Othman Benjelloun (Arabic: عثمان بن جلون, romanized: ʿUthmān bin Jallūn; born 1932[1]) is a Moroccan billionaire financier. He is known for developing BMCE Bank and Bank of Africa, serving as that financial group's chairman and chief executive officer. In July 2024, his net worth was estimated by Forbes at US$1.5 billion.[3]
Othman Benjelloun | |
|---|---|
 Benjelloun in 2010 | |
| Born | 1932 (age 91–92)[1] |
| Education | Ecole Polytechnique de Lausanne[1] |
| Occupation(s) | Banker, businessman |
| Known for | Owner of a bank and insurance company |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2[3] |
Career
editBenjelloun received an education at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland.[1]
Benjelloun's father was a shareholder in an insurance company that Benjelloun later took over in 1988.[1] 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 Bank of Africa, a multinational group originating from Mali and headquartered in Luxembourg and Dakar. The banking component of Benjelloun's business career is worth $4 billion based solely on its market capitalization profits.
During the 1960s and 1970s, he made strategic alliances with global automobile manufacturers Volvo and General Motors.[1] He is also the chairman of Meditelecom[1] along with being associated with Telefónica[1] and Portugal Telecom.[1] He is a member of the Union of Arab Banks[1] and the World Union of Arab Bankers.[1]
Personal life
editHe is a member of the prominent Benjelloun family from Fez, Morocco.[2][4]
He was married to Leila Mezian[2] before her death in July 2024.[5] He has two children,[3] Kamal Benjelloun[6] and Dounia Benjelloun.[6]
Awards
edit- 2022 Best African Personality[7]
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h i j k "Othman Benjelloun Elected Vice-President of Union of Arab Banks". The North Africa Post. 21 November 2012. Archived from the original on 16 October 2017. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Othman Benjelloun; Accusations against the Third Richest Man in Morocco". Al-Estiklal Newspaper. 2020. Archived from the original on 14 July 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ a b c "Othman Benjelloun & family". Forbes. 15 July 2024. Archived from the original on 15 July 2024. Retrieved 15 July 2024.
- ^ Kasraoui, Safaa (15 December 2017). "5 Years Later, Othman Benjelloun's Fake Nephew Sentenced to 2 Years' Imprisonment". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 15 August 2020. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Jihane Rahhou. "Moroccan Philanthropist Leila Mezian Benjelloun Passes Away". Morocco World News. Archived from the original on 13 July 2024. Retrieved 13 July 2024.
- ^ a b Iraqi, Fahd (1 January 2019). "Maroc : Kamal et Dounia Benjelloun (Finance.com)". Jeune Afrique (in French). Archived from the original on 4 June 2024. Retrieved 14 July 2024.
- ^ Kasraoui, Safaa (17 February 2023). "Othman Benjelloun Wins 2022 'Best African Personality' Award". Morocco World News. 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