Gabon’s fiscal reform: Oligui Nguema sets ambitious tax agenda for new DGI chief

At the presidential palace, a pivotal meeting formalized the appointment of Edith Laure Mbiguidi Oyaya as the new Director-General of the Gabonese Tax Directorate (DGI). During the ceremony, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema underscored the pivotal role of taxation in driving his national development agenda, positioning it as the backbone for financing public policies across Gabon. The message to top officials was unambiguous: boosting domestic revenue collection is now a top strategic priority.

Tax administration as a catalyst for economic transformation

The Head of State emphasized that fiscal policy directly determines the government’s ability to fulfill its commitments in infrastructure, education, healthcare, and economic sovereignty. With Libreville aiming to reduce its reliance on oil revenues, expanding the tax base and improving collection efficiency have become critical national priorities. The DGI is no longer just a collection agency—it is now tasked with serving as a key instrument for budgetary control and macroeconomic stability.

During discussions with the new leadership, the President highlighted both the operational urgency and ethical imperatives of their mandate. Key expectations include combating tax evasion, modernizing administrative processes, and ensuring transparent treatment of taxpayers. The overarching goal is to shift the DGI from a rigid bureaucracy into a facilitative institution that supports a more business-friendly environment.

Edith Laure Mbiguidi Oyaya inherits a high-stakes fiscal legacy

The appointment of Mbiguidi Oyaya comes at a critical juncture, as Gabon seeks to stabilize its finances following a period of liquidity constraints and negotiations with multilateral lenders. As the new DGI chief, she inherits an administration whose performance will directly impact public debt sustainability and the state’s investment capacity. Success will depend not only on the technical resources at her disposal but also on sustained political backing to overcome internal resistance.

The leadership team now faces pressing priorities: accelerating digital tax filing systems, enhancing payment traceability, refining tax policies for large extractive industries, and aligning with CEMAC fiscal standards. While these initiatives are not new, their rapid implementation has become essential to validate the President’s economic reform narrative. The DGI is also advancing technical cooperation programs with international partners, including the International Monetary Fund.

Fiscal reform as the cornerstone of national renewal

Since assuming office in mid-2023 and securing re-election in April 2025, President Oligui Nguema has consistently framed fiscal sovereignty as a cornerstone of his political vision. The government’s official strategy links economic transformation, social equity, and equitable redistribution—all of which depend on higher and more fairly collected tax revenues. The approach includes increasing contributions from high-value sectors while reducing the tax burden on vulnerable households.

Yet Gabon’s economic reality presents formidable hurdles. A large informal economy, a narrow taxpayer base, and persistent dependence on hydrocarbons—whose price fluctuations heavily influence public revenue—complicate reform efforts. Expanding the tax base will require a balanced strategy: encouraging formalization, simplifying procedures, and selectively enforcing stricter controls. Mbiguidi Oyaya must balance immediate revenue needs with long-term structural changes, all under close scrutiny from an administration eager to demonstrate quick wins.

The presidential endorsement of the DGI leadership sends a strong signal to international financial partners. By publicly backing the new team, the Head of State aims to reinforce confidence in Gabon’s commitment to fiscal governance. Observers will closely monitor non-oil revenue growth as a key indicator of the success of Libreville’s economic program. The President has publicly described the DGI’s mission as strategically vital for the nation’s transformation.