Gabon achieved a trade surplus of $6.9 billion in 2025, a result that reflects the country’s structural strength in its external position. This surplus was recorded despite a global environment marked by declining trade volumes, lower oil prices, and disruptions to maritime routes. The surplus stems from a net differential between exports of $10.73 billion and imports of $3.83 billion, yielding an export-import ratio of over 2.8 to 1. This ratio places Gabon in a favorable position within the CEMAC region, where several economies have seen their trade balances shrink due to rising freight and input costs.
The global backdrop was far from supportive. World merchandise trade grew only 4.6% in 2025, following a contraction in 2023, and projections for 2026 point to a sharp slowdown to 1.4%. Against this backdrop, maintaining such a significant trade surplus sends a positive signal to investors and institutional partners.
Gabon’s trade surplus also provides a basis for rebuilding foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at $1 billion, equivalent to 2.1 months of import cover. This level remains below the International Monetary Fund’s recommended three-month threshold, marking a key concern for policymakers. Transforming the structural trade surplus into solid reserves is one of the most pressing macroeconomic management challenges for Libreville.
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