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Gabon Prepares for Budget 2027 with Bilateral Talks on Recession

The government of Gabon has launched the bilateral talks to prepare the budget 2027, a key step in the preparation of the project of law of finances (PLF) 2027.

Organized in accordance with the circular n°000245/PR/SG of March 31, 2026, fixing the calendar for the elaboration of the laws of finances, these meetings are taking place in two phases distinct. The first phase, called ministerial, will take place from July 14 to 17, while the second phase, technical, is scheduled from July 20 to 24 within the sectoral administrations.

This phase will bring together the program managers of ministries, state operators and services of the General Directorate of Budget and the Commissariat General for Planning and Development. The works aim to examine the realism of revenue forecasts, appreciate the sustainability of proposed expenses and evaluate the financing needs of public administrations.

The talks are also expected to allow for the preparation of the necessary arbitrages to elaborate a budget « sincere, realistic and sustainable », in a context marked by the will of authorities to strengthen resource mobilization and improve public spending quality.

According to the announcement, these conferences should enable the examination of priorities fixed by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, particularly during his speech on the State of the Nation pronounced on June 15, 2026 before the Parliament.

The budget for 2026 had been revised downward in the context of a law of finances rectificative, setting at 5.495.2 billion CFA francs against 6.358.2 billion initially expected, with a reduction of 862.9 billion CFA francs. This revision reflected an adjustment of revenue forecasts in an economy constrained environment, as well as a desire to master public spending.

The budget for 2026 emphasized the continuation of investments in infrastructure, the strengthening of social policies and the consolidation of public finances, within a context of economic transition and institutional change.

The minister of Economy Thierry Minko recommended that the proposals emerging from these conferences ensure the coherence of the future budget 2027 with the macroeconomic and budgetary framework document 2027-2029, while aligning public action on national priorities defined by authorities.