On Friday, 11 September 2026, Gabon took a decisive step toward maximizing its share of the continental market. During a technical workshop focused on validating the updated national strategy for the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), the Minister of Commerce, SMEs-SMIs, and Youth Entrepreneurship hosted Adama Ekberg Coulibaly, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (UNECA).
This meeting comes at a strategic moment as the government seeks to boost the nation’s involvement in intra-African commerce, enabling domestic companies to fully leverage the opportunities presented by the AfCFTA.
Establishing a clear framework for trade
During the discussions, the UNECA representative highlighted how crucial it is for Gabon to have a modernized national framework to guide its participation in this vast single market. He noted that this tool will allow the country to define its priorities clearly and support local economic actors as they expand their trade relations with other African nations.
Empowering small businesses and young entrepreneurs
Special focus will be directed toward small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and young business leaders, who represent a vital segment of the local economy. The revised strategy is designed to identify key mechanisms that can ease their access to trade opportunities and help them integrate successfully into regional and continental supply chains.
Furthermore, UNECA confirmed its readiness to support Gabon throughout the implementation process. This assistance will target national capacity building, private sector promotion, and the overall competitiveness of Gabonese enterprises.
Driving economic diversification and growth
For the Gabonese government, the primary challenge is to convert continental trade integration into concrete advantages for the local economy. This involves stimulating business development, generating employment opportunities, diversifying economic activities, and adding value to domestic products.
The validation of this revised national strategy represents a major milestone in preparing Gabon to face continental competition and seize emerging opportunities. Through this initiative, the authorities aim to turn the AfCFTA into a powerful engine for economic transformation and private sector development.
