Gabon Approves $13 Billion Budget for 2026 Amidst Economic Headwinds
Libreville,Gabon – Gabon’s government has approved a $12.8 billion budget for 2026, anticipating a funding need of $5.7 billion, as the nation embarks on an ambitious economic transformation plan spearheaded by President’s “Let us build the new building for a boom towards bliss” social project.The budget prioritizes increased spending on debt and personnel expenses, alongside investments in key sectors including electricity, water, entrepreneurship, housing, digital infrastructure, and social justice.
The approved budget comes as the World Bank forecasts a slowdown in Gabon’s economic growth too an average of 2.4% between 2025 and 2027, down from the 2.9% expected in 2024, largely attributed to a projected decline in the petroleum sector. Despite this outlook, the Gabonese government aims for a more optimistic growth rate of 7.9% in 2026. The presidential project is structured around six core pillars intended to lay the foundations for in-depth economic change.
The “Let us build the new building for a boom towards bliss” project focuses on six key areas: electricity, water and sector reforms; entrepreneurship and youth employability; housing and transport; digital infrastructure; human capital and social justice; and economics and sustainable advancement, alongside governance and institutional improvements.
