In a frank interview published on June 24, 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema delivered a blunt assessment of Gabon’s reliance on imported food. The head of state announced a bold, quantified strategy with an unmistakable goal: restore the country’s agricultural self-sufficiency by 2030.
The starting point is stark. Gabon currently imports 80% of what it consumes. The president calls this situation an “aberration.” How could a nation spanning 270,000 km², with exceptional and largely underutilized arable land, have reached such a point?
To reverse the trend, Libreville is now betting on renewed political will and massive investments. The aim is to break definitively with inertia.
The 2027 Shock: Meat, Milk, and Local Chicken
To turn ambition into reality, the presidency is going on the offensive with concrete short- and medium-term measures. The first involves structuring national livestock farming by introducing 12,000 head of cattle to boost the meat and dairy sectors.
But the poultry industry is about to face a major upheaval. The government has decreed a shock measure: a total ban on imported broiler chicken effective January 1, 2027. To cushion this transition, a robust support program will be rolled out for local poultry farmers. At the same time, the authorities plan to systematically develop food crops across all provinces, ensuring each region contributes to the food effort.
25 Billion FCFA for Human Capital
Because good intentions alone are not enough, this transition will rely on training in new farming technologies and unprecedented financial backing. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema announced the creation of a special 25-billion-franc CFA fund within the Banque pour le commerce et l’entrepreneuriat du Gabon (BCEG). This financial tool will be entirely dedicated to farmers, poultry raisers, and fishermen.
“Gabon has the means to feed itself. What was missing was political will and investment. We are putting both on the table,” the president stressed.
The ultimate ambition is dizzying: reduce Gabon’s food dependency by 50% by 2030. A titanic challenge that, if met, will durably transform the country’s economy and sovereignty.
