ECONOMIC SHIFT / After a decade of stagnant growth below 5%, Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is charting a bold new course to break free from the country’s overreliance on raw material exports.

Ending the cycle of resource dependence

The head of state has delivered a candid assessment of Gabon’s economic woes, labeling the nation’s traditional model as fundamentally flawed. « Gabon’s economy has thrived on a rentier system that fails to generate meaningful growth—let alone inclusive prosperity. »

Highlighting the paradox of exporting unrefined oil and manganese, he underscored a critical flaw: « Shipping raw materials abroad equates to exporting domestic job opportunities. »

Three pillars for economic transformation

To reverse this trend and cultivate a robust, job-rich economy, the President has outlined a three-pronged strategy:

1. Systematic industrialization through local processing of raw materials.
2. Economic diversification by prioritizing agriculture and service sectors.
3. Strengthening the business climate to attract investment and foster entrepreneurship.

PNCD 2026-2030: The roadmap to recovery

This vision is encapsulated in the National Growth and Development Plan (PNCD) 2026-2030, a comprehensive roadmap aimed at catapulting Gabon’s growth rate to an unprecedented 6%–7%.

The plan zeroes in on high-potential sectors, including manganese processing, poultry and cattle farming, digital innovation, and leveraging Gabon’s forestry resources in carbon markets.

« Gabon possesses the resources—what it lacked was disciplined governance. That deficiency is now addressed. »

By aligning economic ambition with accountable leadership, the President aims to position Gabon among Africa’s most vibrant economies by 2030.