In a frank interview on 24 June 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema delivered a strong message against Gabon’s heavy reliance on food imports. The head of state outlined a bold, costed battle plan aimed at restoring the country’s agricultural self-sufficiency by 2030.
The starting point is stark: Gabon currently imports 80% of what it consumes. The president calls this situation an outright “aberration.” How could 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 investments. The goal is to break free from years of inertia once and for all.
The 2027 shock: meat, milk and local chicken
To turn this ambition into reality, the presidency is going on the offensive with concrete short- and medium-term measures. The first step involves structuring national livestock farming by introducing 12,000 head of cattle to boost the meat and dairy sectors.
But it is the poultry industry that is set for a major shake-up. The government has decreed a shock measure: a total ban on importing broiler chicken as of 1 January 2027. To ease this transition, a robust support programme will be rolled out for local poultry farmers. At the same time, authorities plan to systematically develop food crop farming in every province, so each region contributes to the food sovereignty effort.
25 billion FCFA for human capital
Because good intentions alone are not enough, this transition will rely on training in new farming technologies and unprecedented financial backing. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema announced the creation of a special 25 billion FCFA fund within the Banque pour le commerce et l’entrepreneuriat du Gabon (BCEG). This financial lever will be entirely dedicated to farmers, poultry farmers and fishermen.
“Gabon has the means to feed itself. What was missing was political will and investment. We are putting both on the table,” the president stressed.
The ultimate ambition is staggering: reduce Gabon’s food dependency by 50% by 2030. A titanic challenge that, if achieved, will permanently transform the country’s economy and sovereignty.
