Gabon accelerates industrial growth through European partnerships

The Chamber of Commerce in Libreville has become the epicenter of Gabon‘s economic future as the industrial meetings officially commenced this Tuesday. Under the leadership of Vice-President Hermann Immongault, the event, which runs until June 26, brings together government officials, business leaders, and European partners to discuss the critical challenges of local resource transformation.

A primary focus of these discussions is the integration of European businesses into the national strategy for productive sovereignty. The goal is to move beyond raw material exports and establish a robust domestic manufacturing base through strategic collaboration.

French Ambassador Fabrice Mauriès noted the return of approximately thirty European firms, particularly within the energy sector. However, he also emphasized that Gabon must continue to enhance its business climate to remain competitive on the global stage and attract further long-term investment.

The Minister of Industry and Local Transformation, Me Lubin Ntoutoume, reiterated the government’s commitment to turning Gabon into a hub for wealth creation. By processing natural resources locally, the nation aims to develop specialized expertise and generate high-quality employment for its citizens.

Strategic investments for the 2026-2030 horizon

According to Hermann Immongault, these industrial ambitions are central to the National Growth and Development Plan (PNCD). This roadmap outlines a clear path for the coming years, prioritizing economic diversification as a pillar of stability.

“The PNCD 2026-2030 serves as the operational framework for this vision,” the Vice-President explained. “It identifies industrialization and local processing as the primary engines of our future growth. We are looking at a total investment of 27,000 billion CFA francs, with 18,000 billion expected to come directly from the industrial sector.”