The theme, “Strong Businesses for Sustainable Growth and Shared Prosperity,” chosen for this significant gathering, underscored Gabon’s desired economic momentum. This sentiment was echoed in the addresses delivered by both economic operators and former state officials participating in the event.
Last Saturday, the Palais des congrès de la Cité de la Démocratie hosted the second edition of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF), an initiative spearheaded by the Fédération des entreprises du Gabon (FEG). Discussions at the forum centered on defining the private sector’s essential role within the nation’s evolving economic strategy.
Alain-Claude Kouakoua, President of the FEG, strongly advocated for a partnership built on mutual trust between the private sector and the State, highlighting its critical importance for Gabon’s economic development and competitiveness. This perspective was readily affirmed by Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier, the Vice-President of the Republic. “Without this trust, nothing can be accomplished; investments will simply not materialize,” he conceded.
While the previous GEF edition meticulously assessed the challenges confronting the Gabonese economy, the GEF 2026 aims to move beyond diagnosis. Mr. Kouakoua emphasized, “Such a fundamental diagnostic, however pertinent, only holds value if it leads to concrete solutions; because mere observations do not improve citizens’ lives; because a report does not create jobs; because ultimately, only results truly matter.”
Mr. Barro Chambrier stressed that each party must fulfill its responsibilities. He assured attendees that “the State will continue to play its part by fostering an attractive business environment and ensuring that the rationalization of public finances enables timely payments to businesses.”
These assertions collectively confirm a fundamental truth: no nation has achieved lasting development without robust domestic enterprises, and no government has generated widespread employment without private investment and a vibrant entrepreneurial ecosystem. In essence, businesses are not peripheral players in development; they are its driving force.
Demonstrating profound expertise in economics and development, the Vice-President reiterated that “the private sector must fulfill its role as the engine of economic transformation, wealth creation, and the enhancement of living conditions for the populace,” naturally, with steadfast government support.
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Following the conclusion of the second Gabon Economic Forum, there is an optimistic expectation for a cessation of rhetoric and a genuine transition to action. Despite advancements observed in recent years, one undeniable fact remains: the true challenge lies not in announcements, but in execution.
Capital holders do not invest based on promises or intentions. Their decisions are driven by visibility and confidence in institutions, public commitments, regulatory stability, justice, and the collective capacity to honor pledges. “This is why the FEG will persist in advocating for an economic environment founded on predictability, legal certainty, transparency, and the respect of commitments,” declared Alain-Claude Kouakoua.
He further noted that the operationalization of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) marks a pivotal new chapter in the continent’s economic history. For Gabonese enterprises, the objective is no longer solely to produce for the national market. The imperative now is to strategize how to produce for Africa, how to penetrate new markets, how to integrate into regional value chains, and how to cultivate national champions capable of elevating Gabon’s profile far beyond its borders.
