Gabon’s Oligui Nguema pushes government to speed up intra-African trade

Intra-African trade has become a central pillar of Gabon’s economic agenda. During a cabinet meeting on 25 June in Libreville, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema explicitly instructed his government to accelerate implementation of this strategic direction, deemed crucial for diversifying the national economy. The presidential directive goes beyond a mere declaration of intent: it demands concrete indicators and a tight timeline.

The stakes extend beyond diplomatic posture. Gabon, whose external revenues remain dominated by oil, manganese, and timber, seeks to broaden its regional outlets and capture a larger share of continental trade flows. The African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), operational since 2021, provides the natural framework for this ambition. However, Gabonese administrations must equip themselves with the necessary tools to fully leverage it.

Presidential priority tied to performance demands

Raising his voice before his team, the Transition president clearly signals that patience is no longer an option. The ministers involved, especially those in charge of Trade, Economy, Transport, and Foreign Affairs, are ordered to produce tangible deliverables. This internal pressure fits a recognizable method of the head of state, who has been issuing multiple performance directives since the regime change in August 2023.

Concretely, the challenge involves several complementary areas. Customs facilitation, removal of non-tariff barriers, modernization of logistics corridors, and promotion of Gabonese exports to Central, West, and Southern African markets are among the expected levers. The local industrial fabric, still embryonic, must also upgrade to meet a demanding continental demand in terms of standards and traceability.

The pan-African bet as a diplomatic lens

The line defended by Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema reflects a clear geoeconomic vision. For Libreville, intra-African trade represents both a tool of sovereignty and a buffer against commodity price volatility. The share of intra-continental trade remains historically low, around 15 to 16% of total African trade according to UN Economic Commission for Africa estimates, compared to over 60% in Europe or Asia. This structural gap is precisely what the AfCFTA aims to close.

Gabon’s pan-African positioning also has a political dimension. By repeatedly referencing continental integration, the president seeks to anchor his actions in a long-term trajectory beyond the transition period. This narrative also enhances the country’s external image as Libreville strives to consolidate relations with regional partners, particularly within the Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC).

Structural challenges to overcome quickly

However, the operational translation of presidential directives will encounter well-known obstacles. The lack of transport infrastructure between Gabon and its neighbors, cumbersome administrative procedures, high energy costs, and low competitiveness of several sectors limit the country’s ability to position itself as a regional platform. Local economic operators frequently highlight the difficulty of accessing neighboring markets, despite existing community legal frameworks.

Moreover, boosting intra-African trade requires close coordination with the private sector. Chambers of commerce, employers’ federations, and port operators must be involved in defining an operational roadmap. Without this alignment, the risk is high that presidential ambition will be diluted in announcements without measurable impact. At this stage, no precise timeline has been communicated regarding the first expected deadlines from the government.

The challenge is clear: converting a political direction into quantifiable economic gains. The Gabonese executive’s ability to deliver results in the coming months will be closely watched by both business circles and the country’s regional partners.