Gabon initiates comprehensive audit of internal debt before settlement

During the closing session of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF), Alain-Claude Kouakoua, President of the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises (FEG), brought critical attention to one of the nation’s most sensitive economic challenges: the substantial debt the State owes to private businesses.

For years, this internal debt has been estimated at 4,340 billion FCFA. However, Mr. Kouakoua suggested that this figure is likely inflated. According to the FEG leader, not all claims submitted warrant retention, with some dossiers proving contentious due to insufficient or irregular supporting documentation.

To address this, a collaborative audit is now underway, involving a dedicated Task Force and the Ministry of Economy. This essential review aims to meticulously separate verified, undisputed obligations from uncertain claims that will not be honored. No repayments will be processed until this thorough assessment concludes. One certainty has already emerged: the final debt total will be considerably lower than the figures widely circulated for months. Furthermore, approximately 50% of this debt has reportedly been settled since the arrival of the CTRI in August 2023. Mr. Kouakoua also noted that companies receiving these payments have largely remained silent, inadvertently contributing to the ongoing ambiguity surrounding the actual debt status.

This upcoming framework aligns directly with a key recommendation from GEF 2026, which prioritizes the swift settlement of internal debt. This includes outstanding VAT credits and arrears on public contracts, to be managed through an accelerated mechanism, securitization, and cross-offsetting. This initiative forms part of a national clearing program, complete with a publicly accessible monitoring table and a National Monitoring Committee, which will effectively re-establish the functions of the Libreville Club.

While discussions at the GEF also touched upon the reliability of public statistics and improvements to the CNAMGS, the State’s obligations to private enterprises clearly dominated the agenda.

For Gabon’s private sector, this announcement is a welcome development. After years marked by uncertainty, disputes, and prolonged waiting, a clear path has finally emerged towards a predictable, negotiated, and thoroughly verified resolution. Many view this as the fundamental prerequisite for gradually rebuilding mutual trust between the State and its business partners.