In a candid interview published on June 24, 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema strongly criticised his country’s reliance on food imports. The head of state unveiled a detailed, ambitious plan with a clear target: restoring Gabon’s agricultural self-sufficiency by 2030.

The starting point is stark. Gabon currently imports 80% of what it consumes. The president calls this an “aberration.” He questions how a nation spanning 270,000 km², with exceptional and largely underused arable land, reached such a point.

To reverse course, Libreville is now betting on renewed political will and massive investments. The aim is to break free from decades of inertia.

The 2027 shock: local meat, milk and chicken

To turn ambition into reality, the presidency is moving to concrete short- and medium-term measures. The first step involves restructuring the national livestock sector by introducing 12,000 head of cattle to boost meat and dairy production.

But the poultry sector faces the biggest upheaval. The government has decreed a total ban on imported broiler chicken as of January 1, 2027. To ease this transition, a robust support programme will be deployed to assist local poultry farmers. At the same time, the authorities plan systematic development of staple food crops in every province, so each region contributes to the food security effort.

25 billion CFA francs for human capital

Good intentions are not enough. This transformation relies on training in new farming technologies and unprecedented financial backing. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema announced the creation of a special 25 billion CFA franc fund within the Bank for Commerce and Entrepreneurship of Gabon (BCEG). This financial lever will be entirely dedicated to farmers, poultry breeders and fishers.

“Gabon has the means to feed itself. What was missing was political will and investment. We are putting both on the table,” the president declared.

The final ambition is staggering: reduce Gabon’s food import dependence by 50% by 2030. A titanic challenge that, if met, will permanently transform the country’s economy and sovereignty.