Othman Benjelloun
| Othman Benjelloun | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1931 (age 84–85) Fez, Morocco |
| Residence | Morocco |
| Nationality | Moroccan |
| Occupation | Businessman |
| Known for | Being a bank owner and an insurance firm owner |
| Spouse(s) | Leila Mezian (m. 1960) |
| Children | Kamal & Dounia |
Othman Benjelloun (Arabic: عثمان بن جلون; born 1931 in Fez, Morocco) is a Moroccan businessman who is worth $2.2 billion as of October 2015, making him richest man in his country, and the 13th richest in Africa.[1]
Career
Benjelloun's father was a large shareholder in an insurance company that Othman later took over in 1988. He turned this into RMA Watanya.[2] After purchasing the insurance company, Benjelloun expanded the business venture into the banking industry.[2] 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.[2] The banking aspect of Benjelloun's business career is worth $4 billion based solely on its market capitalization profits.[2]
Othman received an education in engineering at the École Polytechnique Fédérale de Lausanne in Switzerland.[3] During the 1960s and 1970s, Othman would make 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.[3] Benjelloun is a member of the World Union of Arab Bankers.[3]
He is married to Leila Mezian—daughter of the Moroccan General Mohamed Meziane—with whom he has two children.[4]
See also
References
- ↑ "Othman Benjelloun". Forbes. Retrieved 10 March 2013.
- 1 2 3 4 Othman Benjelloun career information at TheRichest.org
- 1 2 3 Othman Benjelloun biography at Silobreaker
- ↑ Othman Benjelloun marital status information at Forbes.com
Bibliography
- « Les 50 personnalités qui font le Maroc : Othman Benjelloun. 79 ans, PDG de BMCE et de FinanceCom », Jeune Afrique, 2545–2546, du 18 au 31 octobre 2009, p. 40