The Chamber of Commerce in Libreville is currently the stage for the “Rencontres de l’industrie,” a pivotal event that commenced this Tuesday. Scheduled to run until June 26, this gathering unites Gabonese authorities, economic operators, and European stakeholders to address the critical challenges of industrialization and local resource processing.
A primary focus of these high-level discussions is the integration of European businesses into the government’s broader strategy for productive sovereignty. The objective is to foster an environment where local transformation becomes the standard for the national economy.
During the sessions, Fabrice Mauriès, the French Ambassador to Gabon, highlighted the encouraging return of around thirty European companies, with a notable presence in the energy industry. He also remarked on the essential need for Gabon to bolster its international appeal to remain competitive against other global markets.
The Minister of Industry and Local Transformation, Me Lubin Ntoutoume, reiterated the national ambition to evolve Gabon into a powerhouse of wealth and specialized expertise. This transition relies heavily on the systematic processing of natural resources within the country to create high-quality jobs.
Vice President Hermann Immongault explained that this industrial vision is now a core component of the National Growth and Development Plan (PNCD) spanning 2026 to 2030. This plan positions economic diversification and industrial growth as the fundamental pillars of the country’s future prosperity.
“This strategy is finding its operational form in the PNCD 2026-2030, which establishes industrialization and local processing as the primary growth drivers for the coming years. We are looking at an investment of 27,000 billion CFA francs, with 18,000 billion of that specifically originating from the industrial sector,” Immongault stated.