June 27, 2026

The African Tribune

Bold, independent reporting on Africa's most important stories, in English, every day.

Gabon economic forum 2026: driving private sector growth and diversification

« My vision is for the Gabonese Employers’ Federation to be celebrated not just as a defender of businesses, but as a catalyst for their success. »

This bold statement came from Alain Claude Kouakoua, President of the Fédération des entreprises du Gabon (FEG), during the launch of the second edition of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF), held on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès.

The event brought together key decision-makers and international partners to address Gabon’s most pressing economic challenges head-on. Kouakoua emphasized that economic development hinges on strong enterprises, asserting that businesses are not just participants in the economy—they are its driving force.

Echoing this sentiment, Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice-President of the Republic, underscored the government’s commitment to supporting the private sector. « The State will fulfill its obligations to ensure public finances are stabilized, enabling timely payments to private enterprises. »

The overarching ambition of the forum is clear: to foster a diversified economy, reducing reliance on raw material exports while accelerating industrialization. This two-day dialogue serves as a critical platform to align strategies and accelerate progress toward these goals.