Gabonese leaders champion private sector at second economic forum

“My aspiration is for the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises (FEG) to be recognized not just for defending businesses, but crucially, for ensuring their success.”

This powerful sentiment was articulated by Alain Claude Kouakoua, President of the FEG, during the inauguration of the second Gabon Economic Forum (GEF). The event took place on Saturday, June 27, 2026, at the distinguished Palais des Congrès.

Indeed, this crucial gathering, which convenes leading decision-makers and international partners, functions as a vital platform dedicated to tackling Gabon’s pressing economic challenges.

As a pragmatic leader, the FEG President underscored that no nation has achieved development without a foundation of robust enterprises. For him, businesses are not merely peripheral actors; they are the fundamental engine of economic growth.

Echoing this commitment, Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice-President of the Republic, highlighted the State’s understanding and unwavering support for the private sector. He affirmed, “The State will play its part to ensure that the ongoing public finance reforms enable timely resolution of financial obligations to private companies.”

This engaging discourse unveiled a profound national ambition: to construct a diversified economy, lessening its dependence on raw materials and increasingly orienting itself towards industrialization.

Consequently, this forum symbolizes a robust and essential dialogue, vital for effectively navigating Gabon’s economic landscape and achieving its ambitious national objectives.