Borrowing in Gabon in CFA francs: the lending landscape
In Gabon, credit is arranged in Central African CFA francs with a handful of banks led by BGFIBank, about twenty microfinance institutions and the Airtel Money or Moov Money services, all supervised by the BEAC and the COBAC.
A banking market clustered around Libreville
Seven commercial banks operate in the country: BGFIBank Gabon, Union Gabonaise de Banque, AFG Bank Gabon, which grew out of the former BICIG, Ecobank, Orabank, UBA and Citibank. Their branches are concentrated in Libreville, Port-Gentil and Franceville, leaving the interior poorly served.
BGFIBank's overwhelming share of new Gabonese lending
According to statistics reported in early 2025, BGFIBank Gabon granted more than 71% of new bank loans in the first quarter, far ahead of UGB and AFG Bank. This concentration limits competition on the rates offered to Gabonese employees and small businesses.
BEAC, COBAC and the Central African CFA franc
Gabon is a member of CEMAC. The BEAC, which has a national directorate in Libreville, runs monetary policy for the XAF CFA franc, pegged to the euro. The COBAC licenses and supervises Gabonese banks, financial institutions and microfinance providers.
Some of the most expensive credit in Central Africa
According to BEAC data published in 2026, the average lending rate in Gabon reached 21.06% in the fourth quarter of 2025, compared with about 8% in Cameroon. Fees and commissions make up more than 43% of the total cost.
APR and usury ceilings under the CEMAC framework
Lenders must display an annual percentage rate that includes interest, arrangement fees, insurance, guarantees and VAT. The Gabonese association of bank users nevertheless considers that usury ceilings are rarely enforced and calls for greater transparency on pricing.
Creditinfo Central Africa, the new credit bureau
The CEMAC credit information bureau, operated by Creditinfo Central Africa, started in Gabon on 15 July 2026. Banks, microfinance institutions, mobile money operators and water or electricity suppliers send it the payment history of borrowers.
Microfinance: Finam, Loxea, EDG and Express Union
About twenty microfinance institutions are licensed. Finam, Loxea, Épargne et Développement du Gabon and Express Union serve roughly 91% of clients, mainly employees, traders and students. Details of their offers are on the page about microcredit in Gabon.
Airtel Money and Moov Money as an entry point
Airtel Money, a payment institution licensed since 2022, and Moov Money, backed by UGB, reach as far as the villages. Yet borrowing by phone remains marginal: barely more than 7% of adults had used it, according to a diagnostic study published in 2023.
Financing a home or equipment on credit
For housing, the SNI, the Caisse des dépôts et consignations and the banks are working on a future mortgage refinancing mechanism. Land procedures are covered on the Gabon mortgage loan page, and buying a vehicle in the Gabonese car loan section.
Starting a business in an oil economy
Oil from Port-Gentil, manganese from Moanda and timber processed in the Nkok economic zone shape the economy. Small businesses nevertheless remain underfunded, which is why the guarantee lines discussed in the guide to financing a business in Gabon matter.
Bad debts and cautious lenders
The non-performing loan ratio exceeds 18% in Gabon, well above the 5% prudential standard. State arrears to its suppliers have weakened many small firms, which explains why lenders demand particularly high levels of collateral and guarantees.
Civil servants, retirees and private-sector employees
Public employees paid by the Treasury and pensioners of the CPPF or the CNSS find it easier to borrow because their income is paid into the lending bank. Informal workers, numerous in the Mont-Bouët markets, rely more on tontines.
Getting financing in Gabon step by step
- Define the need and the right type of lender: bank, financial institution such as Finatra or Alios Finance, licensed microfinance provider or mobile money service.
- Check on the lists published by the Ministry of Economy and the COBAC that the institution is properly licensed in Gabon.
- Ask for a written offer stating the APR as an annual percentage, the arrangement fees, the insurance and the total cost in CFA francs.
- Gather identity documents, proof of income and, for a business, an RCCM extract and tax identification number.
- Compare at least two offers, since fee differences between BGFIBank, UGB, AFG Bank or Ecobank can be significant.
- Sign only after reading the repayment schedule, and keep a copy of the contract and of every payment receipt.
What makes up the cost of a loan in Gabon
| Item | Benchmark | What changes the amount |
|---|---|---|
| Average lending rate | About 21% at end-2025 according to the BEAC (indicative) | Type of client, term, bank and share of fees |
| Fees and commissions | More than 43% of the total cost on average (indicative) | Arrangement fees, account charges, guarantee fees |
| Death and disability insurance | Proportional to the outstanding capital | Borrower's age and partner insurer |
| VAT on fees | Applied to bank commissions | Nature of the fees charged |
| Okoumé Capital microcredit | 6% per year including tax, announced in 2023 (indicative) | Eligibility and rules of the partner MFI |
Documents Gabonese lenders usually request
- Gabonese national identity card, or passport and residence permit for a foreign resident
- Last three payslips or a CPPF or CNSS pension certificate
- Irrevocable salary domiciliation certificate with the lending bank
- Bank statements or Airtel Money and Moov Money history for recent months
- Proof of address, SEEG bill or certificate of residence
- RCCM extract, articles of association and financial statements for an entrepreneur
Common loan refusals and scams in Gabon
- Borrowing from an unlicensed lender: the ministry had to publish the list of authorised microfinance institutions to protect savers from illegal operators.
- Comparing only the nominal rate, when commissions account for a major share of the real cost of a loan in Gabon.
- Stacking several loans from a bank, a microfinance provider and mobile money in the belief they stay hidden, when the Creditinfo bureau now centralises this data.
- Paying upfront fees to a so-called lender met on Facebook or WhatsApp, a widespread scam that particularly targets Libreville.
- Accepting a monthly instalment that is too heavy for the salary, which quickly leads to a payment incident reported to lenders.
Your questions about borrowing in Gabon
Which currency is used to borrow in Gabon?
Loans are denominated in the Central African CFA franc, code XAF, issued by the BEAC and pegged to the euro. It is shared by six CEMAC countries, including Cameroon and Congo, but is distinct from the West African CFA franc.
Why is credit so expensive in Gabon?
The BEAC reports an average rate well above that of neighbouring countries, pushed up by commissions. Weak competition, the high level of bad debts and the past absence of a credit bureau largely explain this situation.
Is there a register of borrowers in Gabon?
Yes. Since July 2026, Creditinfo Central Africa has been collecting credit histories from banks, microfinance institutions and mobile money operators. The first creditworthiness checks were announced for October 2026.
Who supervises Gabonese banks and microfinance institutions?
The COBAC, the banking commission attached to the BEAC, grants and withdraws licences in coordination with the Ministry of Economy. It also supervises specialised financial institutions such as Finatra and Alios Finance.
Can a foreigner living in Libreville get a loan?
It is possible with a valid residence permit, a local employment contract and an account where the salary is paid. Banks often limit the loan term to the length of the contract or of the residence permit.