ECONOMIC OUTLOOK / Gabon’s economy has struggled to surpass 5% annual growth for over a decade, but President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is charting a decisive break from the country’s long-standing reliance on raw material exports.

In a landmark policy address, he unveiled a bold roadmap designed to revitalize Gabon’s economic landscape and set the nation on a sustainable growth trajectory.

Ending the curse of resource dependence

The head of state delivered a stark assessment of Gabon’s economic stagnation: « A rentier model that fails to generate real growth — let alone inclusive prosperity ».

He criticized the nation’s reliance on unprocessed oil and manganese exports, labeling it an economic paradox: « Shipping crude abroad is like shipping jobs overseas. »

Three pillars to drive a new economic dawn

To reverse this decline and build a robust, job-creating economy, the President outlined a three-pronged strategy:

1. Systematic industrialization through local processing of raw materials.
2. Economic diversification, with a sharp focus on agriculture and service sectors.
3. Streamlining the business climate to attract investment and foster enterprise.

The 2026–2030 National Growth and Development Plan (NGDP)

This vision is anchored in a comprehensive initiative: the National Growth and Development Plan (NGDP) for 2026–2030. The plan aims to catapult Gabon’s growth rate to an unprecedented 6–7% annually.

The NGDP targets high-potential sectors such as manganese processing, poultry and cattle value chains, digital innovation, and leveraging Gabon’s forestry wealth in global carbon markets.

« Gabon possesses the resources. What it lacked was the right governance. That has now been restored. »

By aligning economic ambition with restored governance discipline, the President aims to position Gabon among Africa’s most dynamic economies by 2030.