Gabon has officially announced the termination of its Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) with the European Union (EU). This significant accord, which reached its conclusion on June 28, 2026, will not be renewed, signaling a major shift in the nation’s maritime policy.
Initially established in 2007, the agreement saw multiple extensions, with its most recent renewal occurring in 2021. Over its last five-year period, the partnership reportedly contributed 17 billion CFA francs to the Gabonese treasury.
The decision to discontinue the agreement with the EU was first set in motion during the Council of Ministers meeting in June 2025. This strategic move, championed by transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, marks a definitive end to nearly two decades of fisheries collaboration with the European bloc.
Authorities in Libreville have voiced concerns regarding the financial returns from the partnership. They contend that the compensation received was insufficient when weighed against the substantial value of fish catches within Gabonese territorial waters, leading to a critique of the agreement’s profitability for the nation.
Looking ahead, the Gabonese government is now firmly focused on bolstering the local transformation of tuna. This new direction aims to stimulate job creation, attract industrial investments, and significantly enhance the added value generated within the country’s borders, fostering greater national economic benefit.
