With the launch of CAP’AI Reverse by BK, the fifth edition of its open innovation program in 2026, BMCE Capital now directs innovation towards directly exploitable business use cases, introducing a reverse pitch logic where internal needs guide the search for solutions. The program involves the mobilization of startups and experts around internally defined issues, with short development cycles (MVP) and potential integration into the group’s activities. The objective is to reduce the time between conception and production, in a context where technological budgets represent up to 8 to 10% of net banking income in large institutions.
This positioning is part of a trend observed within international groups such as BBVA, ING, or JPMorgan Chase, which have gradually structured their innovation programs around business use cases and shortened implementation deadlines. According to McKinsey & Company, more than 70% of banking innovation projects launched between 2015 and 2020 did not go beyond the pilot stage, leading to a refocusing on measurable impact devices. In Africa, approaches remain heterogeneous. Groups like Ecobank have structured open innovation programs through fintech challenges since 2017, mobilizing several hundred startups each year, while United Bank for Africa relies on internal initiatives and technological partnerships to accelerate its digital transformation. However, these devices remain predominantly oriented towards sourcing solutions, with varying levels of integration into operations.
With CAP’AI Reverse by BK, BMCE Capital stands out with an approach directly linked to business, aiming to improve decision-making, customer experience, and operational efficiency. This evolution extends the Cap’Tech, Cap’INov, and Cap’AI programs by BK, while reinforcing the integration of artificial intelligence, adoption of which is expected to exceed 80% of financial institutions by 2027 according to Gartner. This repositioning comes in a context of increased competition, marked by the rise of fintechs and technological platforms, and reflects an evolution of innovation models towards more operational and measurable formats.
