Gabon’s mobile money sector rebounded in the second quarter of 2025, fueled by strong international transfer activity, the Directorate General of the Economy and Fiscal Policy (DGEPF) reported.
Industry revenue rose 6.2 percent in Q2, recovering from a 1.8 percent decline in the previous quarter, the outlook note said. Analysts attributed the turnaround primarily to cross-border remittances, which surged across the region and beyond.
Transfers within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) grew 11 percent during the quarter, while flows outside the bloc jumped 16 percent. Year-on-year, intra-CEMAC transfers rose 64 percent, and transfers outside the region soared 170 percent, making international transactions the key growth driver for the sector.
Domestically, person-to-person transfers also increased, rising 11 percent over the quarter. Core transactions such as deposits and withdrawals grew by 9 percent and 8 percent, respectively, reflecting heightened adoption of mobile financial services. By contrast, direct payments for goods and services, including shop and utility payments, fell 7 percent over the quarter, though they remained above year-ago levels.
The sector’s expansion has coincided with steady user growth. By the end of June 2025, the number of mobile money accounts reached 4.7 million, up 2 percent from the previous quarter and 21 percent year-on-year. Active accounts rose 3 percent to 1.7 million, underscoring the growing reliance of Gabonese consumers on mobile money for daily transactions and transfers.
“This growth highlights the increasing importance of mobile money in Gabon’s financial ecosystem, particularly as users rely more on international transfers and digital payments,” the DGEPF said.
The rebound comes amid government efforts to accelerate the digitalization of payments. The recently launched MaDigiPaie program, implemented with the Bank of Central African States (BEAC) and the Central African Monetary Union Interbank Group (GIMAC), allows users to make secure payments via mobile money using GIMACPAY QR codes.
Authorities expect the initiative to further expand mobile payment usage, improve public payment efficiency, and enhance financial inclusion across urban and rural areas.
With mobile money playing an increasingly central role in Gabon’s financial landscape, experts say continued investment in digital infrastructure and cross-border interoperability will be crucial for sustaining growth in the coming years.
The DGEPF report confirms a broader trend in Central Africa, where mobile money services are rapidly becoming a preferred means of transferring money, paying bills, and accessing financial services, especially as governments and regional bodies promote cashless and digital payment solutions.
Gabon’s experience underscores how international remittances can serve as a major catalyst for mobile financial sector expansion, complementing domestic transactions and fostering greater economic integration within and beyond the CEMAC region.
