In a candid interview published on 24 June 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema outlined a bold plan to break Gabon’s reliance on food imports. The head of state announced a targeted, high‑ambition strategy with a clear goal: restore the country’s agricultural independence by 2030.
The starting point is stark. Gabon currently imports 80% of what it consumes – a situation the president calls an “aberration”. How can a nation spanning 270,000 km², with exceptional and largely underused arable land, have reached this point?
To reverse the trend, Libreville is now betting on renewed political will and massive investment. The aim is to break decisively with past inertia.
The 2027 shock: local meat, milk and chicken
To turn this ambition into reality, the presidency is going on the offensive with concrete short‑ and medium‑term measures. The first pillar involves structuring the national livestock sector through the introduction of 12,000 head of cattle to boost both meat and milk production.
But the poultry sector is about to face a true earthquake. The government has decreed a shock measure: a total ban on imported broiler chicken starting 1 January 2027. To cushion the transition, a robust support programme will be rolled out for local poultry farmers. At the same time, the authorities plan to systematically develop food crops in each of the country’s provinces, ensuring every region contributes to the food security effort.
25 billion FCFA for human capital
Good intentions alone are not enough. This transition will be underpinned by training in new cultivation technologies and unprecedented financial backing. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema announced the creation of a special fund of 25 billion CFA francs within the Banque pour le commerce et l’entrepreneuriat du Gabon (BCEG). This financial lever will be entirely dedicated to farmers, poultry keepers and fishers.
“Gabon has the means to feed itself. What was missing was the political will and the investment. We are putting both on the table,” the president insisted.
The ultimate ambition is staggering: reduce Gabon’s food dependence by 50% by 2030. A titanic challenge that, if met, will durably transform the country’s economy and sovereignty.
