Gabon launches agricultural independence drive with 25 billion CFA francs

In a candid interview on June 24, 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema forcefully addressed Gabon’s heavy reliance on food imports. The head of state unveiled a detailed and highly ambitious plan with a clear goal: restore the country’s agricultural self-sufficiency by 2030.

The starting point is stark—a virtual admission of failure for past decades. Currently, Gabon imports 80% of what it consumes. The president bluntly calls this an “aberration.” How could a country spanning 270,000 km², with exceptional arable land that remains largely underused, have reached this point?

To reverse the trend, Libreville is now betting on renewed political will and massive investments. The aim is to break decisively with inertia.

The 2027 shock: local meat, milk and chicken

To turn this ambition into reality, the presidency is moving to the offensive with concrete short- and medium-term measures. The first phase involves restructuring national livestock farming through the massive introduction of 12,000 head of cattle to boost the meat and dairy sectors.

But it is the poultry sector that is about to undergo a true revolution. The government has decreed a shock measure: a total ban on imported broiler chickens from January 1, 2027. To cushion this transition, a robust support program will be deployed to back local poultry farmers. In parallel, the administration plans the systematic development of food crops in every province, so each region contributes to the food security effort.

25 billion CFA francs for human capital

Good intentions alone are not enough; this transition will rely on training in new cultivation techniques and unprecedented financial backing. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema announced the creation of a special fund of 25 billion CFA francs within the Bank for Commerce and Entrepreneurship of Gabon (BCEG). This financial lever will be entirely dedicated to farmers, poultry raisers, and fishers.

“Gabon has the means to feed itself. What was missing was political will and investment. We are putting both on the table,” the president declared.

The ultimate ambition is staggering: to reduce Gabon’s food dependence by 50% by 2030. A titanic challenge that, if met, will permanently transform the country’s economy and sovereignty.