The second edition of the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF) kicked off with a bold declaration from Alain Claude Kouakoua, President of the Gabonese Business Federation (FEG). Speaking at the opening ceremony held on June 27, 2026 at the Palais des Congrès, he emphasized a clear vision: “Tomorrow, the FEG must be recognized not just as a defender of businesses, but as the driving force behind their success.”

This high-level gathering brings together national leaders and international partners to tackle Gabon’s most pressing economic challenges head-on. Kouakoua framed the private sector not as a peripheral participant but as the true engine of national development, arguing that no nation has achieved prosperity without a thriving business ecosystem.

Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier, Vice-President of Gabon, reinforced the government’s commitment to the private sector’s growth. “The state will fulfill its role by ensuring public finances are streamlined to meet all obligations to private enterprises without delay,” he stated, signaling a new era of collaboration between policymakers and entrepreneurs.

The forum’s overarching mission is to accelerate Gabon’s transition toward a more diversified, industrialized economy—one less reliant on raw material exports and more focused on sustainable value creation. Through structured dialogue and targeted action, participants aim to turn these ambitions into tangible progress for the nation’s economic future.