Gabon has boldly widened financial access by partnering with Visa, the global electronic payments leader. This strategic agreement, announced on Thursday, May 15, distributes virtual bank cards to underserved communities, primarily rural and informal sectors, to increase financial inclusion.
Virtual cards to bridge banking gaps
The partnership focuses on providing virtual bank cards to those currently excluded from traditional banking networks. Gabon’s Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation highlighted that while mobile money services have reached over 66 per cent of the population, the overall banking rate remains low at around 30 per cent as of 2024.
This gap limits many citizens’ access to formal financial services. By introducing virtual cards, the government and Visa hope to integrate more people into the digital economy, offering them safer and more convenient payment options.
This initiative is about expanding access and modernizing public administration. The program plans to promote electronic payments within government services to increase transparency and efficiency. This move is expected to streamline state service payments, reduce cash handling, and foster trust in digital financial tools.
Visa expands African digital payment drive with Gabon Initiative
Visa’s involvement in Gabon is part of a broader push across Africa to digitize payments and enhance financial ecosystems. Similar partnerships, like Visa’s strategic investment in Nigeria’s Interswitch, have shown how digital payment platforms can revolutionize access to finance for millions.
In Gabon, the focus on virtual cards is tailored to the country’s unique banking challenges.
The government’s commitment to digital financial inclusion reflects a clear understanding that access to banking services is crucial for economic growth and poverty reduction. By using Visa’s technology and skills, Gabon can reduce the gap between mobile money users and conventional bankers, creating a more inclusive economy.
This collaboration was announced during the Africa CEO Forum 2025 in Abidjan, signaling Gabon’s aggressive intent to embrace digital transformation. As the country introduces virtual cards and electronic payments into public services, it sets a model for other African states seeking financial inclusion through technology.