Burkina Faso’s richest man to complete $370 million Gabon airport before 2030

Key Points

• EBOMAF Group will complete Gabon’s $370 million Andem International Airport before 2030, positioning it as a major Central African aviation hub.
• Gabon entrusts EBOMAF with developing Libreville 2, a smart, sustainable city designed to boost agriculture, jobs, and economic growth.
• Mahamadou Bonkoungou, worth over $250 million, expands his empire with ventures in aviation, banking, and regional infrastructure.

EBOMAF Group, the construction, and real estate firm led by Burkina Faso’s richest man, Mahamadou Bonkoungou, has confirmed that the long-awaited Andem International Airport in Gabon will be completed before 2030.

The airport project, in discussion for nearly 15 years, is moving forward as part of Gabon’s broader effort to modernize its aviation sector. Positioned as a future hub for Central Africa, the Andem Airport is a key piece of the government’s infrastructure reform agenda. According to the timeline agreed with EBOMAF, construction will be finished ahead of the next decade.

This latest development comes just weeks after President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema broke ground on the project in March. The FCFA220 billion ($370 million) initiative is expected to take four years to complete. It marks one of the most ambitious transport infrastructure efforts in Gabon in recent memory.

Spread across 30,000 hectares, Andem International Airport will be built to global standards, with a presidential terminal, modern aviation facilities, and ample parking. Once operational, it is expected to become a major gateway not only for Gabon but for Central Africa—much like how Senegal’s Blaise Diagne International Airport spurred the growth of Diamniadio.

The airport isn’t the only transformative project in the works

EBOMAF has also been commissioned to lead the development of Libreville 2, a new city designed for smart living and sustainable growth. The government’s decision to hand both high-profile projects to the same firm underscores its trust in EBOMAF’s ability to deliver complex, future-facing developments.

Located just 20 kilometers from the capital, Libreville 2 is envisioned as a major economic engine. The 13,000-hectare city will feature an “agropole” — a specialized area for agricultural processing, trade, and exports. It aims to connect farmers, processors, and markets while driving job creation and supporting Gabon’s growing agrifood industry.

The city’s layout emphasizes innovation and sustainability. A planned rail link will connect it directly to Libreville, easing transport for both people and goods. Its blueprint includes roads, green spaces, research centers, and infrastructure that support long-term livability and environmental balance.

Bonkoungou expands regional business empire

For Bonkoungou, this is another milestone in a career that has stretched far beyond the borders of Burkina Faso. At 58, he has become one of West Africa’s most influential business leaders. EBOMAF’s project portfolio exceeds $3 billion, but Bonkoungou’s business reach extends well beyond construction.

He owns Liza Transport, a luxury jet charter company, and IB Holding, an emerging financial services group. He also controls Bonkoungou Distribution, which plays a key role in the region’s machinery and equipment supply chain.

More recently, he expanded into banking, acquiring the Togolese Bank for Commerce and Industry (BTCI). With a fortune estimated at over $250 million, Bonkoungou continues to shape West Africa’s business landscape — one ambitious project at a time.