BBCI was established in 1988 as the Arab Bank for Commerce and Investment "ABB".

In 1990, following the recapitalization of the bank and the arrival of new shareholders, the bank changed its name to Arab Burundi Bank "ABB".

In 1997, the General Assembly of Shareholders decided to give a local anchorage to the bank and it became Banque Burundaise de Commerce et d'investissement "BBCI".