The Gabon is solidifying its position among the most attractive economies in the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) for foreign direct investments (FDI). According to the World Investment Report 2026 by the United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD), the country has recorded FDI inflows of $379 million in 2025, with $216 billion in Fcfa, surpassing the previous year’s figure of $310 million. This rebound marks a significant improvement after several years marked by volatile foreign investment flows. This uptick occurs in a global context where international investments remain concentrated on a limited number of countries and strategic sectors, including digital infrastructure, critical minerals, and energy.
The Gabon’s FDI stock now stands at $19.24 billion, up from $18.89 billion last year, demonstrating the continued confidence of foreign investors in the country. Outflows of FDI remain limited to $56 million, highlighting a profile of an economy more receptive than export-oriented capital inflows. This dynamics confirms the Gabon’s role as the primary hub for international investment arrivals in Central African Community, thanks to its natural resources, infrastructure, and structural reforms aimed at improving business climates.
However, the report emphasizes that Africa remains vulnerable to a high concentration of investments on a few economies and sectors. The UNCTAD notes that prospects remain fragile due to geopolitical tensions, trade uncertainty, and the slowdown of large-scale infrastructure projects. In Africa, the decline in project financing operations and the concentration of flows into a limited number of countries underscore the need to broaden the base of economic attractiveness.
The Gabon must capitalize on its position as the locomotive of CEMAC to attract more investments in high-value-added sectors, including local transformation of raw materials, industry, digital economy, and renewable energy. In an increasingly competitive international environment where territories compete for capital inflows, the Gabon’s ability to pursue structural reforms and strengthen regional economic integration will be crucial in preserving its lead and contributing to making CEMAC a more attractive destination for foreign investors.
