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Burkina Faso’s richest man, Mahamadou Bonkoungou, has been assigned by Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to source helicopters from Pakistan, as the Central African nation seeks to strengthen its aerial surveillance.
Nguema, a military officer who became Gabon’s fourth president in May 2025, after having previously served in this role in a transitional capacity from 2023, has emphasized modernizing the country’s monitoring capabilities amid regional security concerns.
Gabon taps Bonkoungou for helicopters
Bonkoungou, known for his business empire EBOMAF Group, will oversee the purchase of Russian-made Mil Mi-35M helicopters currently stationed in Pakistan. The move has raised questions within Gabon’s military high command, highlighting the unusual step of involving a civilian businessman in a sensitive defense acquisition.
This is not Gabon’s first procurement of aerial equipment. In June 2024, while serving in a transitional military role, Nguema acquired two AW139 multi-purpose helicopters. The aircraft were intended to monitor the country’s rainforest and assist in national security operations.
Bonkoungou expands Gabon infrastructure projects
Beyond his recent involvement in military procurement, Mahamadou Bonkoungou’s EBOMAF Group plays a central role in Gabon’s infrastructure expansion. The company is leading one of the country’s largest projects: a 244-kilometer road linking Yombi, Mandji, and Omboué. Scheduled for completion within 48 months, the highway aims to connect the provinces of Ngounié and Ogooué-Maritime, boosting trade and mobility.
EBOMAF is also spearheading the development of Libreville 2, a new city designed to promote sustainable growth and modern urban living. Covering 13,000 hectares just 20 kilometers from the capital, the city will include an “agropole,” a hub for agricultural processing, trade, and export. Gabonese authorities view the project as a key economic engine, connecting farmers and markets while generating employment in the agrifood sector.
West Africa’s Business Influence: Bonkoungou
At 59, Bonkoungou has grown into one of West Africa’s most influential business leaders. EBOMAF’s project portfolio surpasses $3 billion, but his ventures span construction, transport, and finance. He owns Liza Transport, a luxury jet charter company; IB Holding, a financial services group; and Bonkoungou Distribution, a machinery and equipment supplier.
More recently he acquired the Togolese Bank for Commerce and Industry (BTCI), expanding his influence across the region. His rapidly growing commercial and infrastructural empires reflect a pragmatic approach to investing in projects that offer long-term economic value while shaping West Africa’s business and industrial environment.
