Gabon’s economic forum: forging trust for sustainable development

The selected theme, “Strong businesses for sustainable growth and shared prosperity,” for this significant gathering powerfully articulated Gabon’s desired economic trajectory. This sentiment was echoed in the addresses delivered by both economic operators and former state authorities who participated in the event.

Recently, the Palais des congrès de la Cité de la Démocratie hosted the second edition of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF). Organized by the Fédération des entreprises du Gabon (FEG), the discussions centered on defining the private sector’s crucial role within the nation’s evolving economic framework.

Alain-Claude Kouakoua, President of the FEG, championed a compelling call for a partnership built on mutual trust between the private sector and the State. He emphasized that such a collaboration is indispensable for Gabon’s economic development and competitiveness. Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier, the Vice-President of the Republic, readily concurred. “Without this trust, nothing can be achieved; investments will simply not materialize,” he acknowledged.

Building on this spirit, while the previous GEF edition objectively assessed the challenges facing the Gabonese economy, the GEF 2026 aims to propel the nation forward into a new phase. “This is all the more fundamental because a diagnosis, however pertinent, only holds value if it leads to solutions; because observations do not improve the lives of citizens; because reports do not create jobs; and ultimately, only results truly matter,” Mr. Kouakoua firmly stated.

Mr. Barro Chambrier underscored that each stakeholder must fulfill their part. He assured attendees that “the State will continue to play its role in fostering an attractive business environment and ensuring that the rationalization of public finances allows for timely settlement of obligations to businesses.”

These assertions underscore a fundamental truth: no nation has achieved sustainable development without robust national enterprises, nor has any state massively created jobs without private investment and a vibrant entrepreneurial fabric. In essence, business is not a peripheral player in development; it is its primary engine.

Speaking with evident expertise on economic and developmental matters, the Vice-President of the Republic affirmed that “the private sector must fulfill its role as the engine of economic transformation, wealth creation, and the betterment of living conditions for the populace.” Naturally, this must be achieved with unwavering government support.

A hopeful outcome of the second Gabon Economic Forum is a decisive shift from mere discourse to concrete action. While advancements have been observed in recent years, they cannot obscure a clear reality: the true challenge now lies not in making announcements, but in effective execution.

Capital holders do not invest based on promises or intentions. Their decisions are driven by visibility and confidence in institutions, the reliability of public commitments, regulatory stability, justice, and the collective capacity to uphold agreements. “This is why the FEG will continue to advocate for an economic environment founded on predictability, legal certainty, transparency, and respect for commitments,” declared Alain-Claude Kouakoua.

For him, the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks a new chapter in the continent’s economic history. For Gabonese businesses, the focus extends beyond merely producing for the domestic market. The imperative now is to strategize on how to produce for Africa, how to penetrate new markets, how to integrate into regional value chains, and how to cultivate national champions capable of representing Gabon far beyond its borders.