
The European Union officially launched the "Impact" project in Libreville on Thursday, May 7, 2026. This initiative aims to strengthen the capacities of Gabonese civil society organizations. Through this program, local NGOs will receive technical and financial support to play a more active role in local development, social justice, and environmental protection. The project, funded by the European Union, seeks to foster a more inclusive, structured, and active Gabonese civil society capable of participating in the development and monitoring of public policies, particularly in social justice and environmental protection. Cécile Abadie, the European Union Ambassador to Gabon, stated that this project is different from typical programs, focusing on transversal capacity building for civil society, which is often better positioned than the state to address certain needs and conduct local actions. She noted that many civil society organizations face difficulties in structuring, accessing funding, and advocacy. The Impact project intends to professionalize and empower these structures, financing more organizations and helping them identify their needs. The project will be jointly managed by two European and two Gabonese NGOs. This collaboration will combine expertise in capacity building with a deep understanding of the local civil society ecosystem. The selected organizations will mentor beneficiary associations and facilitate their access to often hard-to-mobilize funding. This sup
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Must ReadOlam Palm Gabon is considering closing its Makouké site due to extensive destruction of its palm plantations by elephants. Approximately 5,000 hectares of palm groves have been destroyed in Makouké, leading to a significant reduction in the company's activities and raising concerns about job losses and economic hardship in the Moyen-Ogooué region. The local deputy, Rolf Mavitsi Nziengui, highlighted the alarming unemployment situation and urged discussions with Olam to prevent a complete cessation of operations. Similar destruction, reportedly affecting 10,000 hectares, has also occurred in the Ngounié province. Olam has begun installing electric fences to deter elephants. The Minister of Agriculture, Pacôme Kossy, acknowledged the severity of the issue, emphasizing the need for solutions that protect agricultural operations without compromising the elephant's protected status in Gabon. The increased elephant population, a result of protection policies, is contributing to human-wildlife conflict, impacting both small and large agricultural producers. The future of the Makouké site remains uncertain, and its closure would have severe economic and social consequences for the region.

Gabon's National Civil Aviation Agency ANAC initiated a technical assistance mission on June 22, 2026, in Libreville, to identify weaknesses and define corrective measures within its national air safety system. This strategic exercise aims to enhance the country's performance and credibility in the aeronautical sector ahead of the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO audit. The mission, requested by Gabon from ICAO's West and Central African WACAF Regional Office, was officially opened by ANAC Director General, Major General Éric Tristan Franck Moussavou. It serves as a major preparatory step before the ICAO USOAP-CMA audit, which evaluates the effectiveness of national air safety oversight systems. Gabon's previous evaluation was in 2019. Over several weeks, ICAO experts will examine key pillars of Gabon's system, including the legislative framework, civil aviation authority organization, aircraft technical operations, airworthiness, licensing, air navigation services, aerodrome management, accident investigations, and the national safety program. Certification activities, surveillance, and safety issue resolution will also be analyzed. Moussavou emphasized the need for transparency and sincerity in this evaluation, stating its purpose is to establish an objective diagnosis to identify shortcomings and define necessary corrective measures. He noted the support of state authorities, including President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and urged collaboration w
Must ReadGabon's High Council for Investment HCI submitted its general report to the government on June 22, 2026, outlining priorities for an ambitious reform of the business environment. The report, presented to Vice President of the Government Hermann Immongault by Minister Delegate for the Budget Marc Abeghe and President of the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises FEG Alain-Claude Kouakoua, contains recommendations from state and private sector representatives. These recommendations, covering taxation, public procurement, governance, and logistics, aim to create a more attractive framework for investors and enable the private sector to finance two-thirds of the National Growth and Development Plan PNCD. The report, resulting from consultations that began on June 4 in Libreville, is intended to guide future legislative and regulatory texts. The goal is to quickly implement these proposals into concrete reforms to strengthen Gabon's economic appeal. This initiative seeks to enable the private sector to contribute nearly 18 trillion CFA francs, approximately two-thirds of the 26 trillion CFA francs required for the PNCD. Key recommendations from working groups, involving over 1,100 participants, include accelerating the promulgation of the new Investment Code, establishing mixed control brigades to reduce administrative burdens, and ensuring continuous operation of port and airport corridors. Discussions also highlighted the need for stronger public governance, proposing recruitment of