Gabon's economic reality 66 years after independence

He acknowledged daily challenges like water and electricity outages, stating that "the time for promises must give way to the time for proof." The National Growth and Development Plan PNCD 2026-2030, presented in May, aims to mobilize 27,000 billion FCFA approximately 41 billion euros over five years, with two-thirds expected from the private sector. Growth projections vary significantly, with the government anticipating 7.9% in 2026, while the IMF projects 2.6%, the World Bank 3.7%, and the African Development Bank 2.2%.

Gabon's public debt is projected to rise from 70.9% of GDP in 2024 to 94.3% in 2027, with a budget deficit potentially reaching 11.2% of GDP. The president plans to pursue an IMF program after a full audit of public finances. The oil sector, a long-standing economic pillar, is declining, with crude production around 220,000 barrels per day.

However, manganese production, where Gabon is the second-largest global producer, is helping to offset this decline. The government announced a ban on raw ore exports from 2029 to encourage local processing. The Belinga iron project, led by Fortescue, has invested over 250 billion FCFA and aims for industrial production by 2030.

The government is also investing in digital transformation, with a 2026 budget of 82 bil