At Mining Indaba, Africa’s largest mining sector conference, Gabonese banking group BGFIBank is asserting its ambitions in financing continental extractive industries. Operating in around ten African countries, the bank is expanding initiatives to become a key partner for mining companies, subcontractors and suppliers in a market traditionally dominated by international institutions.
Participation in Mining Indaba, taking place this week in Cape Town, marks another step in BGFIBank’s strategy. Without announcing major transactions at the event, the group is gradually building an institutional presence through professional association memberships and greater visibility at sector gatherings. In early January 2026, its Côte d’Ivoire subsidiary joined the Professional Association of Miners of Côte d’Ivoire (GPMCI), seeking to facilitate financing access for local mining participants.
En République Démocratique du Congo (RDC), BGFIBank participe régulièrement à la DRC Mining Week. Lors de l’édition 2025, Isaac Ibuabu, Directeur de la Banque des Particuliers & PME chez BGFIBank RDC, a mis en avant « l’expertise développée par la banque en matière de projets miniers, reposant sur des ressources humaines dédiées à chaque catégorie d’acteurs, qu’il s’agisse des compagnies minières ou des entreprises de sous-traitance. »
À Mining Indaba, les directeurs généraux des filiales ivoirienne et congolaise, Francesco de Musso et Kaféhé Silue, sont présents aux côtés d’Alain Fazili Bula, chef de la division clientèle Entreprises à BGFIBank RDC. Ce dernier a participé à un panel sur le financement minier, où il a souligné « l’importance des partenariats dans le développement du secteur minier africain. » Ces interventions illustrent la volonté de BGFIBank de cibler les juridictions minières clés, comme la RDC et la Côte d’Ivoire, en tant que têtes de pont pour son expansion.
This movement fits a broader trend among African banks. Institutions such as Ecobank, Coris Bank and AFG Bank increasingly finance extractive industries. In October 2025, for example, AFG Bank launched a CFA franc 100 billion financing line, around $181 million, in Mali for mining subcontractors, and is being approached for Cameroon’s Minim Martap bauxite mine. These initiatives seek to support investors building or expanding mines while assisting smaller participants.
For BGFIBank, growth remains gradual. The group relies on continued involvement in events such as DRC Mining Week and Mining Indaba to consolidate its position. To compete sustainably with international players, however, African banks must demonstrate their ability to increase long-term financing scale.
This momentum reflects Africa’s changing mining landscape, where local institutions seek a growing share of opportunities offered by the continent’s natural resources. Mining Indaba 2026, with thousands of participants, provides an ideal showcase for these emerging ambitions.