• Gabon signed a strategic partnership with Visa to enhance financial inclusion.

• The initiative includes distributing virtual bank cards to underserved populations, especially in rural and informal areas, and promoting electronic payments within public administration.

• The collaboration aims to bridge the gap between Mobile Money usage and the lower banking rate by integrating digital financial solutions into public services.

Gabon's Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation announced Thursday a strategic partnership with Visa, the U.S. electronic payments firm, on the sidelines of the Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Abidjan. The initiative aims to strengthen financial inclusion through digital means.

The agreement notably includes the distribution of virtual bank cards targeted at populations currently underserved or inadequately served by traditional banking networks, particularly in rural and informal sectors. The partnership also seeks to accelerate the adoption of electronic payments within the public administration, with the goals of modernization, increased transparency, and improved efficiency of state services.

This collaboration aligns with the Gabonese authorities' ambition to democratize access to financial services through innovative and tailored digital solutions. According to the World Bank, Gabon's financial inclusion rate, including Mobile Money services, reached 66.09% in 2021. However, the overall banking rate, encompassing microfinance institutions, remained limited at 27.55% in 2021, compared to a reported 30% in 2024.

This partnership with Visa could help bridge this disparity by facilitating access to digital financial services for a wider segment of the population. By integrating digital payment solutions into public services and expanding access to modern financial tools, Gabon reaffirms its commitment to modernizing its economy and fostering more inclusive growth.

By Samira Njoya,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji