National Lottery of Burkina Faso invests in Agricultural Bank
While Lonab is traditionally known for its lottery operations, these investments showcase the operator’s diversification plan into key sectors like agriculture, health and industry.
Burkina Faso.- The National Lottery (Lonab) has been authorised by the Burkinabé government to purchase a direct stake in the Agricultural Bank of Faso (BADF) worth 2.6 billion CFA francs (€3.9m). The approval was granted by the Council of Ministers at a scheduled meeting on June 4, 2025.
The investment forms part of BADF’s capital increase initiative to boost its original equity of CFA14.2 billion (€21.6m). Lonab already owns a 10.51 per cent share in the bank and has expanded its portfolio through this new investment. The development also means that state entities, including FBDES (63.04 per cent), CARFO (14.01 per cent) and Lonab have further consolidated their majority stake and control over the company.
In addition to BADF, Lonab is also investing CFA1.4 billion (€2.1m) in pharmaceutical products wholesaler Faso-Pharma, for a 28 per cent stake to aid its launch and CFA2 billion (€3.0m) in Texforces-BF, a textile security firm, for a 20 per cent share.
While Lonab is traditionally known for its lottery operations, these investments showcase the operator’s diversification plan into key sectors like agriculture, health and industry.
The move aligns with national laws permitting state-owned enterprises to own stakes in key sectors to stimulate economic growth, create jobs and promote national development. For instance, with the increased stake in BADF, the government aims to improve the bank’s ability to finance farmers, cooperatives, processors and other vital players in the agricultural industry.
