Lost my card to an ATM in Gabon

It happened to me outside Mbolo Shopping Center in Libreville. A UBA ATM ate my Mastercard. The guard outside said it happens often and told me to go inside. The staff confirmed they collect all swallowed cards at 5 p.m. and return them only with ID. I was lucky and got mine back that evening. My advice: only withdraw during banking hours in Gabon. If you try late at night, you’ll just stress with no one around to help. Always good to have a spare card or two hidden in your bag.

If you’re still near Libreville, head to the BGFIBank headquarters on Boulevard Triomphal. They handle card retrieval more efficiently than smaller branches. Bring your ID, explain that your card was swallowed, and they may retrieve it the same day. I’ve seen them hand back cards to expats before. But don’t expect it instantly. Worst case, use mobile money services like Airtel Money for small payments, but you’ll need locals to send you funds. Cash is king here, so keep some CFA francs handy until it’s sorted.

When my debit card got stuck in a BGFIBank ATM in Port-Gentil, I wasn’t as lucky. They said foreign-issued cards are automatically destroyed for “security” if not collected within 48 hours. Since I was on a work trip offshore, I couldn’t return in time and basically lost the card. So my advice: call your bank back home immediately and freeze it. Don’t waste too much time stressing because even if Gabonese staff promise, it may not materialize. Always carry USD or CFA francs as a fallback.

In Libreville, an UGB (Union Gabonaise de Banque) ATM swallowed my Revolut card. I went to the bank the same day and they said the ATM would be opened the next morning by staff. True enough, I got my card back after some paperwork and showing my passport. It took patience but was resolved in under 24 hours. Meanwhile, I used cash I already had. If yours just happened, go to the branch right away - Gabonese banks can be surprisingly cooperative if you catch them during business hours.