Gabon begins new PosteBank depositor census to recover frozen savings

Nearly a decade after PosteBank SA’s collapse—a subsidiary of La Poste whose 2017 bankruptcy abruptly froze lifelong savings—the Gabonese government is taking decisive action. In an official statement issued by the Ministry of Communication, Libreville announced the launch of a comprehensive census of affected depositors, a critical first step toward compensating those who lost their hard-earned funds.

The nationwide operation kicks off on June 8, 2026, and runs through June 11, with La Poste branches across Gabon opening daily from 8 AM to 5 PM. Victims of the financial disaster must visit in person, bringing valid identification and any documentation proving their deposits. The urgency is clear: the government aims to secure the database, thwart fraudulent claims, and ensure every last franc CFA is returned to its rightful owner.

Breaking from a legacy of unkept promises

This initiative signifies a pivotal moment in Gabon’s political landscape. While past administrations left victims in limbo, the current leadership, which took office in 2025, has made settling this social debt a top priority. By prioritizing the issue, authorities hope to rebuild the fractured trust between citizens and the state, demonstrating that accountability and restitution are no longer empty words.

A staggering financial and human toll

The scale of the crisis is immense. Official records indicate that nearly 60,000 private depositors were left stranded by the bank’s collapse, their life savings frozen indefinitely. To address this, the government has allocated a 31.212 billion franc CFA fund, earmarked for repayment over three years—delivered in annual installments. Corporate creditors, whose claims total 41.154 billion francs CFA, are also awaiting resolution, though their repayment schedule remains under review. Yet, with the census now underway, the wheels of restitution are finally turning.