馃嚞馃嚘GabonCentral Africa
Gabon must prepare for climate change as heatwave impacts Gabonese in France
via Gabon Review6 min read
A historic heatwave in France is raising concerns in Gabon, particularly among the thousands of Gabonese families living, studying, or vacationing there. The extreme weather events, such as France's hottest June on record in 2026, are no longer just a matter of meteorology but a national issue. While Gabon possesses a vast forest cover, accounting for 88% of its territory, this natural asset alone will not protect it from future climate disruptions without a national adaptation strategy. The article, authored by Professor Judica毛l Lebamba, a research professor at the University of Science and Technology of Masuku, highlights that climate change impacts are already evident in Gabon, with average annual temperatures increasing by approximately 0.6 掳C since the 1960s. Projections indicate continued warming, increased rainfall variability, and heightened risks for agriculture, infrastructure, water resources, and coastal areas. Examples include flooded streets in Libreville, coastal erosion in Port-Gentil, and unpredictable seasons affecting harvests in agricultural regions. The economic impact of climate change without effective adaptation could range from 3.5% to 5.3% of Gabon's GDP annually by 2050. Therefore, Gabon needs a national strategy for adapting to extreme climatic events, including modernizing weather alert systems, adapting agriculture, strengthening urban drainage, protecting coastlines, improving urban planning, and developing scientific research and climate obser
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
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PetroGabon, a leading petroleum product distributor in Gabon, is expanding its operations by establishing a subsidiary in Cameroon. This move, reported on July 7 by EcoMatin, involves the creation of a Cameroonian entity with a share capital of 200 million CFA francs. The group, led by businessman Jean-Baptiste Bikalou, sees this expansion as a significant step towards asserting its regional ambitions in Central Africa. PetroGabon currently holds a 33.2% market share in Gabon, dominating fuel distribution in its home country. By entering the Cameroonian market, the company aims to leverage its experience to compete with established players like TotalEnergies, Tradex, Neptune Oil, Ola Energy, and Bocom. EcoMatin notes that the competition will be intense, given the long-standing presence and significant infrastructure of these rivals. PetroGabon may differentiate itself through competitive pricing, quality customer service, and strategic deployment in less saturated areas. This expansion is also symbolic for the Gabonese private sector, signaling the growing maturity and regional competitiveness of Gabonese companies.