Gabon: Conclusion

The document outlines a strategic framework for Gabon to leverage its upper-middle-income status through a return to constitutional rule by April 12, 2025, and a shift away from oil dependency. Key recommendations include strengthening democratic institutions, diversifying the economy into sustainable forestry, mining, and agriculture, and investing in health and education to achieve specific 2030 Sustainable Development Goal targets for child mortality.

• Gabon is at a critical juncture where it must address longstanding issues regarding the management of oil wealth, income levels, and social capital to achieve shared prosperity. A return to constitutional rule via democratic elections is scheduled for April 12, 2025, which is viewed as the foundation for evidence-based policy-making.
• To reduce overreliance on oil and improve long-term resilience, Gabon should prioritise economic diversification. This includes investing in value-added processing, sustainable forestry, mining, agriculture, and fisheries, while supporting small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) and attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) for manufacturing and infrastructure.
• The report recommends significant investments in human capital, specifically targeting a reduction in child mortality to meet Sustainable Development Goal targets by 2030: 12 deaths per 1000 live births for infants and 26 deaths for children under-five.
• Gabon is encouraged to integrate into regional and Africa-wide value chains by maximising opportunities under the African Continental Free Trade Agreement (AfCFTA) and diversifying into low-carbon industries such as eco-tourism and sustainable forestry.
• Energy transition goals for Gabon include reducing dependence on fossil fuels by expanding infrastructure for renewable energy, with a specific emphasis on scaling up investments in hydro power.

APA

Bello-Schünemann, J., & Cilliers, J. (2026). Gabon: Conclusion. Institute for Security Studies. https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=GA&topic=05-conclusion

Chicago

Bello-Schünemann, Julia, and Jakkie Cilliers. Gabon: Conclusion. Institute for Security Studies, 2026. https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=GA&topic=05-conclusion.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=Bello-Schünemann |first1=Julia |last2=Cilliers |first2=Jakkie |title=Gabon: Conclusion |publisher=Institute for Security Studies |date=31 May 2026 |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=GA&topic=05-conclusion |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{belloschnemann2026gabon, author = {Bello-Schünemann, Julia and Cilliers, Jakkie}, title = {{Gabon: Conclusion}}, institution = {Institute for Security Studies}, year = {2026}, month = may, url = {https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/guide.pdf?geography=GA&topic=05-conclusion}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }