
Gabon officially launched its National Strategy for Sustainable Tourism and Artisan Sector Development on June 28 in Libreville. The initiative, led by the Ministry of Sustainable Tourism and Handicrafts and overseen by Minister Marcelle Ibinga-Itsitsa, aims to transform these sectors into key drivers of economic diversification, job creation, and national heritage promotion. Vice President Alexandre Barro Chambrier, representing the Head of State, presided over the presentation, emphasizing the country's ambition to position tourism and handicrafts as pillars of national development and economic sovereignty. The strategy seeks to leverage Gabon's natural and cultural assets, including its forests, national parks, biodiversity, and cultural traditions, to create opportunities for its people. The government aims to build a responsible tourism model that protects nature, respects cultures, supports local communities, and showcases Gabonese authenticity. The strategy, developed through a participatory approach, focuses on three main areas: modernizing and developing the tourism economy, developing the artisan economy, and constructing and rehabilitating tourism and artisan infrastructure. It also addresses institutional, organizational, and infrastructural challenges through programs for improved governance, capacity building, promotion of ecotourism, cultural and business tourism, and professionalization of the artisan sector. The goal is to better structure industries, facilit
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
Must ReadPresident Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema held a nearly three-hour meeting with agents of the Soci茅t茅 d鈥櫭﹏ergie et d鈥檈au du Gabon SEEG at the Jean Violas Skills Center in Owendo. The President addressed the agents directly, accusing them of internal "sabotage" and dismissing rumors of arrests that had circulated earlier in the day. The meeting followed a request for dialogue from the National Union of Water and Electricity Sector Workers SYNTEE+. Earlier, the presence of security forces around SEEG sites in Libreville led to speculation of arrests, but it was later clarified that the forces were there to transport agents to the meeting. President Oligui Nguema stated he had asked generals to gather the agents "politely, discreetly" for a free exchange, choosing the training center over the palace to emphasize a return to fundamentals. During the exchange, President Oligui Nguema highlighted 35 billion CFA francs invested since August 30 in generators and transformers, expressing dismay that imported equipment remained unused. He criticized alleged technical errors, such as confusing water and diesel, and attributed degraded transformers to internal issues rather than external factors. He directly told the agents, "You are the problem. It's not me." Agents, in turn, acknowledged long-standing dysfunctions and the need for collective mobilization and a change in managerial culture for SEEG's recovery. The President also strongly criticized water shortages, linking them to an inter
Must ReadThe Monetary Policy Committee CPM of the Bank of Central African States BEAC held its second ordinary session of 2026 on June 29 in Yaound茅, chaired by Governor Yvon Sana Bangui. The committee decided to further ease its monetary policy to support the sub-regional economic dynamic, citing controlled inflation and stable economic prospects. Globally, growth is expected to slow to 3.1% in 2026, down from 3.4% in 2025, due to persistent uncertainties like geopolitical tensions and conflicts. However, the Central African Economic and Monetary Community CEMAC is projected to see favorable development, with 3.2% growth, 2.4% inflation, and improving external balances in 2026. The CPM anticipates a stronger financial position for the sub-region, with the budget deficit decreasing from 3.7% of GDP in 2025 to 1.9% in 2026, and the current account deficit contracting to 2.9% of GDP. Foreign exchange reserves are expected to increase to 4.72 months of imports by the end of 2026, up from 4.12 months in 2025. To facilitate financing, the CPM lowered the Tender Interest Rate TIAO from 4.75% to 4.50%, the marginal lending facility rate from 6.25% to 5.75%, and mandatory reserve coefficients for sight liabilities from 7.00% to 6.50% and for term liabilities from 4.50% to 4.00%. The deposit facility rate remains at 0.00%. These measures aim to provide more flexibility to the banking system and improve credit access to boost investment and economic activity in CEMAC member states, balancing mo
Must ReadFrench Deputy Arnaud Le Gall LFI-NFP has challenged the official narrative surrounding Gabon's entry into the capital of the Eramet mining group. In a written question published in the Official Journal on June 30, 2026, Le Gall argues that the operation serves to bail out the Duval family, Eramet's reference shareholder, rather than enhance Gabon's sovereignty over its resources. He suggests the 500 million euro recapitalization, authorized on May 27, 2026, aims to restore Eramet's balance sheet before a potential sale, citing the company's 477 million euro net loss in 2025 and record debt. Le Gall claims that approximately 131 billion CFA francs of Gabon's investment would go towards "saving the Duval family," who reportedly hold 37% of the capital and are considering a partial or total exit. He also contends that holding a fraction of the parent company's capital in Paris does not provide control over operations in Gabon, where the value is concentrated, specifically in Comilog 63% of turnover and Setrag transporting 90% of ore. Le Gall highlights that Gabon remains a minority shareholder in these entities without veto power, and is independently financing railway renovation through loans from the European Union and the French Development Agency. Eramet has acknowledged Libreville's intention but has not confirmed the amount or terms of the investment.