On June 2, 2026, Pacôme Kossi, Minister of Agriculture, unveiled a 700 billion CFA franc program before lawmakers to help the country achieve poultry meat self-sufficiency by January 1, 2027. By that date, Gabon plans to halt the annual importation of 65,000 tons of frozen chickens. The country currently consumes around 65,000 tons of chicken per year, according to FAO estimates. As economist Louis Ndong points out, the objective is straightforward: achieving food sovereignty to ease household expenses on poultry products.

Building a sustainable poultry ecosystem

Hervais Omva, President of the Zambian-based NGO IDRC AFRICA and poultry sector expert, emphasizes that the project’s success hinges on establishing a complete production chain. “The president has set the direction. Now, it is up to sector stakeholders to build the upstream and downstream ecosystem,” he explains. He highlights that local production of maize and soybeans is critical, as these two crops make up nearly 75% of poultry feed. “One of the biggest hurdles will be producing millions of tons of these cereals locally,” he notes. Job creation is another key priority. “While automated slaughterhouses can process up to 60,000 chickens daily with just twenty employees, aligning this with local realities will be essential for reducing youth unemployment,” he adds.

Attracting African investors to drive growth

Libreville is seeking to mobilize African investors to support this transformation. Following President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s call at the Kigali summit in mid-May 2026, several African operators were received at the Presidential Palace on June 9. The government reports that the technical framework is already in place, with an investment bank operational. A senior Agriculture Ministry official states that “various mechanisms will be deployed progressively.” G.M., a Port-Gentil poultry farmer with over a decade of experience and a flock of 10,000 chickens, sees this policy as a major opportunity. “The potential is undeniable, but transitioning to industrial-scale production demands substantial investments,” he remarks.

Strengthening local poultry sector for economic resilience

The Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war exposed the vulnerabilities of import-dependent countries. Gabon now seeks to boost domestic production to mitigate such risks. Data from the General Directorate of Statistics shows that 54.6% of Gabon’s population is under 26 years old. Youth unemployment rates range between 30% and 38%, according to UNDP estimates. Developing the poultry sector is therefore not just an agricultural or economic issue but a social one as well. Hervais Omva urges young Africans to seize this opportunity: “The president has paved the way. Investors are ready.”