Gabon’s public debt drops below 70% of GDP after audit

Audit reveals lower debt stock

Gabon now has a clearer picture of its public debt. Following an audit launched by the state and finalized as of December 31, 2025, the consolidated debt stock was set at 9,524.643 billion CFA francs, down from nearly 11,700 billion at the start of the process. The debt ratio stands at 68.91% of gross domestic product (GDP), compared to 84.6% previously. This revision represents a drop of 15.69 percentage points and brings the country below the 70% community ceiling set by the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

How the audit was conducted

Officially started on June 17, 2026, the work was carried out by the committee established by decree No. 077/MEFDPLVC of April 27, 2026. The goal was to verify, inventory, and consolidate the state’s financial commitments, particularly due liabilities. The committee relied on International Monetary Fund (IMF) references, including the 2014 Government Finance Statistics Manual and the Guide on Public Sector Debt Statistics. The 68.91% ratio is based on a preliminary estimate of 2025 nominal GDP of 13,822 billion CFA francs.

What changed in the debt figures

Comparing with the initial situation shows the scale of the operation. Nearly 2,175 billion CFA francs are no longer included in the consolidated reference stock. This is not a repayment but a clarification of the commitments actually retained. The audit examined unimplemented projects, funds not transferred to the Treasury, and commitments previously recorded as public liabilities. The result provides a more accurate reading of the debt.

Implications for IMF talks and public finances

This new baseline comes as Libreville requested a new economic and financial program from the IMF in March 2026. The audit report has been sent to the institution and will serve as a reference in discussions. For Gabon, moving from 84.6% to 68.91% of GDP improves the public finance profile and brings the country back under the community criterion. Above all, it fosters a return of confidence, provided spending remains controlled and arrears are cleared.

A step toward managing debt more effectively

The current government can be credited with initiating this clarification exercise on a heavy financial situation inherited from the ousted regime. However, the reported decline does not mean that 2,175 billion CFA francs have been repaid. Rather, it provides a more solid basis for steering public finances, negotiating with the IMF, and preparing a debt reduction strategy. With 9,524.643 billion CFA francs “just” to manage, the pressure eases somewhat for the government.