Gabon has officially moved to conclude its Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) with the European Union. The long-standing cooperation reached its definitive end on June 28, 2026, after the government opted not to renew the contract.
A strategic shift in maritime policy
This partnership, which was first established in 2007 and most recently updated in 2021, has been a cornerstone of the regional fishing sector for nearly two decades. Over the final five-year period of the agreement, the partnership contributed approximately 17 billion CFA francs to the Gabonese state treasury.
The decision to move away from the European Union framework was initiated during a Council of Ministers meeting in June 2025. Under the leadership of the President of the Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, this move represents a significant departure from 19 years of continuous maritime collaboration with European partners.
Prioritizing domestic economic value
Authorities in Libreville have voiced concerns regarding the financial returns of the previous arrangement. The government maintains that the compensation received was insufficient when compared to the actual market value of the catches harvested within Gabonese territorial waters. This discrepancy in revenue generation was a primary factor in the decision to let the agreement expire.
Looking toward the future, the government intends to overhaul the sector by prioritizing the local processing of tuna. By shifting focus to domestic industrialization, Gabon aims to:
- Create new employment opportunities for citizens
- Attract significant industrial investments
- Increase the overall economic value added within the national territory
This new direction underscores a commitment to sovereign resource management and the development of a robust, independent fishing industry that benefits the local economy directly.