Sahara Bank
Leading Institution in Islamic Electronic Financial Services
1964
50-54 Nationwide
9.9% (4th Largest)
2,000-2,300
Founded in 1964 as a subsidiary of Italy's Banco di Sicilia, Sahara Bank operates 50-54 branches nationwide with 2,000-2,300 employees from headquarters at Building No. 193, 24 December Street, Tripoli. The Central Bank of Libya holds 82% ownership with Libyan interests controlling 18%.
Currently Libya's fourth-largest bank with assets exceeding LYD 10 billion (2020), Sahara Bank represents 9.9% of banking sector assets. The institution positions itself as a "leading institution in Islamic electronic financial services" serving over 300,000 private and professional clients.
Contact Information
Building No. 193
24 December Street
Tripoli, Libya
Islamic Banking Excellence
Islamic Murabaha Financing
Maximum Amount
120,000 LYD
Maximum Term
72 Months
Zero down payment options for:
- Vehicles
- Household goods
- Construction materials
- Umrah pilgrimage packages
Sharia-Compliant Services
Comprehensive Islamic banking products adhering to Islamic Sharia principles, forbidding interest charges while offering modern financial solutions.
- Islamic current accounts
- Islamic savings accounts
- Murabaha (cost-plus financing)
- Islamic investment products
- Sharia-compliant trade finance
Digital Banking Platforms
Sahara Mobile App
Integrated OnePay services providing:
- QR code payments
- NFC contactless payments
- Cash withdrawal through merchants
- Account management
- Transaction history
Sahara Online Portal
Comprehensive digital banking platform for:
- Internet banking access
- Account statements
- Fund transfers
- Bill payments
- Service requests
Tajwal Card
Operating on Numu network:
- POS payments nationwide
- ATM withdrawals
- Balance inquiries
- 24/7 availability
- Secure chip technology
Comprehensive Banking Services
Retail Banking
-
Personal Accounts
Current and savings accounts for individual customers
-
Consumer Financing
Personal loans and Islamic Murabaha products
-
Debit Cards
Tajwal Card for ATM and POS transactions
-
Money Transfers
Domestic and international remittances
Corporate Banking
-
Business Accounts
Corporate and SME banking solutions
-
Trade Finance
Letters of credit and documentary collections
-
Cash Management
Treasury and liquidity management services
-
Business Financing
Working capital and project finance solutions
Market Position & Scale
Market Share by Assets
Fourth-largest bank
Customer Deposits
Of total sector deposits
Total Credit
Of banking sector credit
Clients
Private and professional
Assets & Capital
Total Assets (2020)
LYD 10 Billion+
Ownership Structure
82% CBL / 18% Private
60 Years of Banking Excellence
1964
Founded as subsidiary of Italy's Banco di Sicilia, establishing Libyan banking presence
2007
BNP Paribas acquires 19% stake, bringing international banking expertise and technology modernization
2011
BNP Paribas withdraws following Libyan revolution; Central Bank of Libya increases ownership to 82%
2020-2024
Positioned as leading institution in Islamic electronic financial services with modern digital platforms and LYD 10 billion+ assets
Modern Islamic Banking Solutions
Leading institution in Islamic electronic financial services