On Saturday, June 27, the Cité de la Démocratie in Libreville hosted the Gabon Economic Forum (GEF) 2026, bringing together the nation’s most influential business leaders. Under the leadership of the Fédération des entreprises du Gabon (FEG), this edition marked a historic turning point: for the first time, the event was entirely designed and financed by the private sector. By eschewing public subsidies and institutional partnerships, the Gabonese business community has signaled its intent to maintain an independent voice and directly influence the country’s economic reform agenda.
The discussions led by the FEG focused on two critical issues: the financial health of the Caisse nationale d’assurance maladie et de garantie sociale (CNAMGS) and the persistent challenge of domestic debt, which continues to stifle the liquidity of local businesses. Participants organized their efforts into eight thematic workshops, identifying these as the most urgent priorities for the public authorities to address.
Demanding a CNAMGS audit to restore trust
The FEG has officially called for a comprehensive audit of the CNAMGS, the cornerstone of the Gabonese social protection system. This demand is rooted in the significant contributions made by employers, who often feel that the quality of service and financial transparency do not match their level of investment. During the forum, several speakers highlighted systemic delays in payments to healthcare providers and raised serious concerns regarding the long-term viability of the current model.
Business leaders believe that an independent audit is a mandatory first step before any structural reforms can take place. The federation maintains that clarifying the accounts of the CNAMGS is vital for the credibility of the new social pact envisioned by the transition authorities. Beyond the technical aspects, this is a call to rebuild trust between private contributors and the public institutions managing their funds.
A strategic plan to settle domestic debt
The second major pillar of the forum involved the management of domestic debt, a long-standing weakness in the public finances of Gabon. The FEG presented the executive branch with a detailed settlement plan, developed through extensive consultation with member companies suffering from unpaid arrears. Many small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs), which form the backbone of the economy, are currently struggling to meet their own obligations because of these outstanding debts from the administration and parapublic entities.
The proposed mechanism includes a structured payment schedule, rigorous debt certification, and a joint monitoring system involving private sector representatives. This approach is designed to prevent the failures of previous repayment plans, which were often criticized for a lack of transparency. It comes at a time when the transition government is working to restore the state’s financial reputation with both national suppliers and international lenders.
A proactive shift for the private sector
The decision to fund the GEF 2026 exclusively through private resources is a clear political statement. It represents a break from the past, where economic summits were often co-organized with the state, sometimes blurring the line between genuine dialogue and official communication. By taking full responsibility for the logistics and the direction of the debates, the FEG is asserting its role as a source of concrete proposals rather than just a vehicle for government policy.
This new stance arrives at a pivotal moment for the economy of Gabon. The country is currently navigating the need to diversify away from oil and manganese, the requirement to stabilize public finances, and the social pressure to create jobs for the youth. The forum’s workshops covered these essential topics, ranging from infrastructure and taxation to the business climate and professional training.
The focus now shifts to how the authorities will respond to these technical and data-driven demands. The FEG’s strategy of presenting specific requirements puts the executive in a position where they must provide clear answers or face a more confrontational stance from the business community in the future.