Gabon prepares for chicken import ban with agricultural research at Kougouleu
via Gabon Review2 min read
Gabon is accelerating preparations for a ban on chicken imports, scheduled for January 1, 2027. The Minister of Higher Education and Scientific Research, Professor Charles Edgar Mombo, visited the experimental site in Kougouleu, 55 kilometers from Libreville, to assess progress on research aimed at ensuring local production of agricultural inputs for poultry feed. The site is conducting adaptability tests on strategic crops such as corn, soybeans, rice, peanuts, and beans to identify varieties best suited to Gabon's climate and soil conditions. Gauthier Parfait Boussougou Boussougou, head of the Corn program, explained that the goal is to produce the necessary feed for chickens locally. The minister emphasized the approaching deadline for the import ban and the need to accelerate research and development. Researchers at Kougouleu are working to select agricultural varieties to meet the needs of the future national poultry sector, with encouraging results, including the certification of three rice varieties by the Institute of Agronomic and Forestry Research IRAF. The ministry also plans to implement training programs for producers and establish seed stocks to support the growth of selected crops, aiming to secure raw material supplies before the import ban takes effect. Professor Mombo highlighted the country's agricultural potential and the role of scientific research in supporting public policies, stating that higher education is capable of supporting the President's decisi
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The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation announced its plan to establish a presence in Gabon by December 2026. This announcement was made by Charles Oula Siehe, Special Advisor for Africa to the Foundation, following a meeting with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Paris on July 22. President Nguema, who was on a state visit, gave his agreement in principle for the initiative. The Foundation's installation aims to support Gabon's environmental preservation and sustainable development policies, aligning with the country's environmental ambitions. It is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Libreville and the Principality of Monaco and support projects that improve the living conditions of the population. Established in 2006 by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the non-profit organization focuses on biodiversity, climate change, ocean protection, and sustainable water resource management, primarily in the Mediterranean basin, polar regions, and least developed countries. This move is part of its strategy to assist states with significant natural capital facing conservation and sustainable development challenges.
The Gabonese Agricultural Development Company SOGADA received over 55,000 day-old chicks in Libreville on Monday, July 20, all intended for egg laying. This significant arrival reinforces SOGADA's ambition to build a strong and competitive national poultry sector and sustainably increase its egg production. Hervé Patrick Opiangah, SOGADA's shareholder, has championed this goal for several years, aiming to contribute to Gabon's food security. SOGADA, operating with entirely private and Gabonese capital, has focused on local production even before food sovereignty became an official priority. The company's integrated model, built by Hervé Patrick Opiangah, relies on four pillars: biosecurity, innovation, industrial transformation, and the development of national skills, positioning it as a pioneer in modern poultry farming in Gabon. This influx of chicks represents a coherent industrial vision to increase domestic production and progressively reduce reliance on imports. SOGADA has created local jobs and offers products that meet high health standards. The company's short-cycle model ensures products are raised, harvested, fed, collected, and consumed locally, directly benefiting Gabonese consumers. Over the years, SOGADA has invested in modernizing its breeding infrastructure, developing egg carton manufacturing, and strengthening its biosecurity protocols, demonstrating a consistent effort to anticipate Gabon's needs.
Gabon's national football team, the Panthers, has advanced two spots to 84th in the latest FIFA world rankings, published on July 20, 2026. This places them 16th in Africa, with 1,272.51 points. This modest progression follows their 86th position in the previous ranking on June 11. The team's improvement comes despite no official matches since the FIFA Series in March and their non-participation in the 2026 World Cup. This upward movement is seen as a positive sign for the Gabonese selection, which is currently undergoing a rebuilding phase. The appointment of a new coach, Sébastien Migné, and the return of Alain Giresse to the technical staff are fueling hopes for increased competitiveness. If this new dynamic leads to positive results in upcoming continental and global qualifiers, Gabon could continue to rise in the FIFA rankings. Globally, Spain, the 2026 World Cup champion, holds the top spot, followed by Argentina and France, with England and Brazil completing the top five. In Africa, Morocco is ranked 6th globally, ahead of Senegal 18th and Egypt 24th. Gabon aims to close the gap with the leading African teams through the momentum generated by its new technical staff.