Gabon Economic Forum: a renewed push for private sector leadership
The second edition of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF) opened on June 27, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès in Libreville, with a clear mission: to position Gabon’s enterprises not just as defenders of economic interests, but as catalysts for future prosperity. Alain Claude Kouakoua, President of the Gabonese Federation of Enterprises (FEG), set the tone by declaring, “My aspiration is for the FEG to be recognized not only for its advocacy work, but for actively driving business success across the nation.”
In a keynote address, Kouakoua emphasized that no country has achieved sustainable development without a thriving private sector. He argued that businesses are not peripheral players—they are the engine of economic growth. His message underscored the critical role of entrepreneurship in diversifying Gabon’s economy and reducing its reliance on extractive industries.
Echoing this vision, Vice President Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier reaffirmed the government’s commitment to supporting private enterprises. He stated, “The state will fulfill its obligations to ensure public finances are stabilized, enabling timely payments to private sector partners.” This pledge signals a strategic alignment between policymakers and business leaders to foster an enabling environment for investment and industrialization.
The forum serves as a high-level platform where government officials, international investors, and industry stakeholders converge to address Gabon’s most pressing economic challenges. Through structured dialogue, participants aim to unlock new opportunities for innovation, job creation, and long-term economic resilience.
With ambitions to transition Gabon toward a more industrialized and diversified economy, this year’s GEF highlights the growing recognition that private sector growth is inseparable from national progress.
