Gabon moves to terminate fishing partnership with the European Union

The European Union has expressed its readiness to address recent concerns through a transparent and constructive dialogue regarding maritime cooperation. This follows a period of tension where the current arrangements between the two parties have come under intense scrutiny.

A call for renegotiation

In June 2025, President Brice Oligui Nguema officially initiated a unilateral termination process for these maritime accords. The Head of State characterized the existing partnership as significantly lopsided and insisted on the necessity of a complete renegotiation to better serve national interests.

In response, the EU has signaled its willingness to establish a modern Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement. This proposed new generation of cooperation aims to create a more balanced and efficient framework that provides mutual benefits for both Gabon and European stakeholders through a renovated approach.

Economic and environmental concerns

The original Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) dates back to 2007. It granted European vessels the legal right to operate within Gabonese territorial waters in exchange for financial compensation. However, the government now argues that the terms are no longer sustainable.

Official assessments indicate that the financial returns from the current deal fail to reflect the true market value of the fish caught. Furthermore, the revenue does not offset the expenses incurred by Gabon for maritime surveillance or the economic losses resulting from a lack of domestic processing facilities, which prevents the country from capturing added value.

• Insufficient investment in local infrastructure and job creation.
• Lack of national skill development programs.
• Risks of overexploiting marine resources.
• Absence of shared scientific monitoring and transparency.

Last renewed in 2021 for a five-year term, the agreement is valued at approximately 17 billion CFA francs, which translates to roughly 26 million euros. Gabon is now seeking a framework that better protects its sovereign interests and ensures the long-term health of its aquatic ecosystems.