The Community of Sahel-Saharan States (CEN-SAD) was created by the treaty of February 4, 1998 signed in Tripoli by the leaders and Heads of State of the member countries, convinced that joint action in complementarity is the best way for the Integration of States and Peoples of the Sahelo-Saharan region.

Article 4 of the Treaty expresses the need for the establishment of a bank.

April 14, 1999  : Signature of the Convention Establishing the Sahelo-Saharan Bank for Investment and Trade (BSIC), a regional banking institution engaged in all banking, financial and commercial activities, including those relating to the financing of foreign trade and investments