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Economic Overview

For the latest updates on the key economic responses from governments to address the economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the IMF's policy tracking platform Policy Responses to COVID-19.

Heavily dependent on the oil sector and on food imports, the Gabonese economy is vulnerable to global fluctuations in commodity prices. After contracting in 2020 due to the joint effects of declining demand for oil, decreasing oil prices and the pandemic-related containment measures, GDP growth started to recover in 2021 (1.5%). Economic recovery continued in 2022, GDP growth reaching 2.7%, driven by higher oil prices, a booming mining sector, and the rebound in the wood, construction and services sectors (IMF). According to IMF forecast, GDP growth is expected to accelerate to 3.7% in 2023 and 2024, still supported by oil exports.

In 2022, the Gabonese economy continued to recover from the 2020 recession, owing to strong policy response to the pandemic and the rise in oil prices. Russia’s war in Ukraine and related surge in commodity prices contributed to boost oil exports and revenues, improve the fiscal and external positions and reduce public debt. Due to the comfortable royalties generated by high oil prices, better mobilisation of non-oil revenues and control of current expenditure, Gabon recorded a budget surplus of 1.2% GDP in 2022, which is forecast to be maintained in 2023 (3% GDP) (IMF, Coface). Public debt dropped from 65.8% GDP in 2021 to 54% GDP in 2022, and it is expected to further decrease to 52.4% GDP in 2023 and 49.3% GDP in 2024 (IMF). Public debt is mostly external (60% of the total) and held by multilateral (mainly the IMF and the World Bank) and bilateral (France, China, etc.) creditors (Coface). In the context of the war in Ukraine, inflation increased from 1.1% in 2021 to 3.5% in 2022 (IMF). It is expected to slightly decrease to 3.2% in 2023 and 2.5% in 2024 (IMF). The pegging of the CFA franc to the euro helps to containing inflationary pressures (Coface). In July 2021, Gabon concluded a three-year fiscal consolidation programme with the IMF, through an extended arrangement under the Extended Fund Facility (EFF), and the Gabonese authorities are still focused on fiscal and governance reforms to support economic recovery and enhance debt sustainability. The 2023 budget aims at implementing the Plan for the acceleration of economic transformation (PAT), as well as supporting education, health, water, energy and infrastructure. The Strategic Plan for Food Sovereignty is designed to decrease food imports. To revert dependence on raw materials and lack of economic diversification, Gabon seeks to revive its agricultural sector (cocoa, coffee, and palm oil). The country is also planning to develop tourism, and particularly eco-tourism, to take advantage of its forest heritage. Gabon has also launched a broad public investment program (PSGE) to become one of the fastest-growing economies by 2025. Among the challenges identified by the IMF, addressing structural reforms, including governance and corruption issues, enhancing the banking sector and implementing an effective financial inclusion strategy, preserving debt sustainability and protecting the most vulnerable are key priorities.

Gabon is classified as an upper-middle-income country with a GDP per capita above its neighbors. However, social indicators lag behind the country's wealth. A third of the population lives below the poverty line (nearly 5% live on less than a dollar and a half every day) and unemployment is very high. In 2021, the unemployment rate in the country was at 21.8% (World Bank, ILO estimate). There is also a large gap between economic development in urban and rural populations. Moreover, city rents exploded as a result of the exodus from rural areas to cities (four major cities house more than 85% of Gabon's population).

 
Main Indicators 202020212022 (E)2023 (E)2024 (E)
GDP (billions USD) 15.3420.2421.9320.3320.86
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change) -1.91.52.83.03.1
GDP per Capita (USD) 7,2779,48310,1489,2949,427
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP) 78.365.855.160.358.2
Inflation Rate (%) 1.71.14.33.42.6
Current Account (billions USD) -1.06-0.920.26-0.02-0.23
Current Account (in % of GDP) -6.9-4.51.2-0.1-1.1

Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database , October 2021

Country Risk

See the country risk analysis provided by La Coface.

 

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Main Sectors of Industry

Gabon is rich in natural resources. It is Africa’s second largest wood producer and the fourth oil producer in sub-Saharan Africa. The agricultural sector accounted for an estimated 6% of Gabon's GDP in 2021 (World Bank), employing 30% of the workforce. Gabon has 22 million hectares of forest, one million hectares of arable agricultural land and over 800 kilometers of coastline. The sector includes food crops, rubber (especially in the north), and palm oil, with the country relying heavily on food imports.

Industry contributes to 50.9% of the country's GDP and around 11% of total employment (World Bank). The sector is dominated by petroleum, manganese mining, and timber processing. Hydrocarbons account for 50% of Gabon’s exports and 38% of its GDP (Coface, US ITA). However, the country is facing a decline in its oil reserves. Other activities include textile plants, cement factories, chemical plants, breweries, shipyards, and cigarette factories. Most industrial establishments are located near Libreville and Port-Gentil.

The services sector accounts for 38.7% of GDP, employing 59% of the active workforce (World Bank). The government is the biggest employer in the sector. Tourism is still embryonic due to poor infrastructures and the country’s landscape mostly covered in forests.

 
Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector Agriculture Industry Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment) 30.0 10.7 59.3
Value Added (in % of GDP) 6.0 50.9 38.7
Value Added (Annual % Change) 11.2 3.2 1.4

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

 
Monetary Indicators 20162017201820192020
CFA Franc (XOF) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 USD 593.01582.09555.72585.90575.59

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

 

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Foreign Trade

Foreign trade account for 73% of the country's GDP (World Bank, 2021). Customs duties are relatively high and some other non-tariff barriers also exist, aiming to protect the local industries. Gabon mainly exports mineral fuels and oils, boats, wood products, manganese ores, and machinery; and mainly imports boats, machinery, electrical machinery, vehicles, meat and other food products, mineral fuels, iron, cereals, pharmaceutical products and plastics (ITC, 2021).

Gabon's main export partners are China, India, Cameroon, Congo and Korea (ITC, 2021). France, Singapore, China and the USA are Gabon’s main suppliers (ITC, 2021). Gabon is a member of the CEMAC (Monetary and Economic Community of Central Africa), which through the Monetary Union of Central Africa provides its six members with a common currency, the CFA franc, which is pegged to the euro. The country is also a member of the Economic Community of Central African States (ECCAS), but the economic integration of the group's eleven member states is far from being complete. Gabon has also signed the African Continental Free Trade Agreement.

Gabon’s trade balance is structurally in surplus, thanks to the revenues generated by oil exports. In 2021, total exports of goods amounted to USD 5.96 billion while total imports reached USD 3.44 billion, resulting in a comfortable trade surplus (WTO). On the side of service, in 2016, Gabon’s service export amounted to 357 million USD while its services import cost 1.79 billion USD (WTO).

 
Foreign Trade Values 20172018201920202021
Imports of Goods (million USD) 3,0123,0823,1402,9373,444
Exports of Goods (million USD) 5,6786,5046,6204,9035,962
Imports of Services (million USD) 00000
Exports of Services (million USD) 00000

Source: World Trade Organisation (WTO) ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Indicators 20172018201920202021
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP) 75.177.073.470.172.6
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) -7.351.225.5-6.04.3
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change) 3.91.414.010.0-1.0
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 24.822.722.022.616.8
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP) 50.254.351.447.555.8

Source: World Bank ; Latest available data

Foreign Trade Forecasts 20222023 (e)2024 (e)2025 (e)2026 (e)
Volume of exports of goods and services (Annual % change) -12.910.84.72.62.0
Volume of imports of goods and services (Annual % change) 8.50.10.92.94.1

Source: IMF, World Economic Outlook ; Latest available data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

 
International Economic Cooperation
Member of World Trade Organization (WTO)
Member of Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC)
Member of African Union (AU)
Member of Organisation for the Harmonization of Corporate Law in Africa (OHADA)
 
 

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Political Outline

Current Political Leaders
President: Ali BONGO Ondimba (since 16 October 2009)

Prime Minister: Alain Claude BILIE-BY-NZE (since 9 January 2023)

Next Election Dates
Presidential: August 2023
Senate: December 2026
National Assembly: 2023
Main Political Parties
Gabon is a multy-party state, though the Gabonese Democratic Party is the one that holds the power. Opposition parties are allowed, but are widely considered to have no real chance of gaining power. Opposition parties include:
Circle of Liberal Reformers (liberal)
Social Democratic Party (centre-left)
Rally for Gabon (socialist)
Gabonese Progress Party (centre-left)
Executive Power
The legislative power is vested in the president, who is also head of State. The president is elected for a seven-year term and has the power to appoint the prime minister. The Council of Ministers is appointed by the prime minister in consultation with the president.
Legislative Power
The legislative power is vested in the Parliament, which has two chambers: the National Assembly (Assemblée Nationale), composed of 120 members, of which 111 members elected for a five-year term in single-seat constituencies and 9 members appointed by the president; and the Senate (Sénat), composed of 91 members, elected for a six-year term in single-seat constituencies by local and departmental councillors.
 

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COVID-19 Country Response

COVID-19 epidemic evolution
To find out about the latest status of the evolution of the COVID19 pandemic and the most up-to-date statistics on the COVID19 disease in Gabon, please visit the Gabonese government platform, containing the official data. The platform provides a daily epidemiological update, which includes key national figures.
For the international outlook you can consult the latest
situation reports published by the World Health Organisation as well as the global daily statistics on the coronavirus pandemic evolution including data on confirmed cases and deaths by country.
Sanitary measures
To find out about the latest public health situation in Gabon and the current sanitary measures in force, please consult the Gabonese government platform including updated information on the containment measures put in place and public health recommendations.
Travel restrictions
The COVID-19 situation, including the spread of new variants, evolves rapidly and differs from country to country. All travelers need to pay close attention to the conditions at their destination before traveling. Regularly updated information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related travel restrictions in place including entry regulations, flight bans, test requirements and quarantine is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
It is also highly recommended to consult COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on the daily basis by IATA.
The US government website of Centers of Disease Control and Prevention provides COVID-19 Travel Recommendations by Destination.

The UK Foreign travel advice also provides travelling abroad advice for all countries, including the latest information on coronavirus, safety and security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Import & export restrictions
For information on all the measures applicable to the movement of goods during the period of sanitary emergency due to the COVID-19 outbreak (including possible import and export restrictions, if applicable), please consult the portal of the Gabonese Directorate-General for Customs and Indirect Duties.
For a general overview of trade restrictions due to COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Gabon on the International Trade Centre's COVID-19 Temporary Trade Measures webpage. 
Economic recovery plan
Information on the economic recovery plan put in place by the Gabonese government to address the impact of the COVID19 pandemic is available here (page 11).
For a general overview of the main economic policy measures (fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic) taken by the Gabonese government to limit the socio-economic impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, please consult the section dedicated to Gabon in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform. 
Support plan for businesses
Information on the local business support program set up by the Gabonese government to help small and medium-sized companies to deal with the economic impacts of the COVID19 epidemic is available here (Page 11).
For a general overview of international SME support policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak, please refer to the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.
Support plan for exporters
Official government sources do not provide information on specific programmes for exporting companies following the coronavirus outbreak.
 

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