Agriculture & Forestry

With a tropical climate and arable land to spare, Gabon has significant potential to expand agriculture, yet the sector remains somewhat overlooked. One-fifth of the country’s total arable land has not been developed for agriculture, and the country remains largely dependent on food imports to meet its consumption requirements.

The sector has shown recent growth, roughly 5% year-on-year from 2010 to 2013, according to the World Bank. If further developed, the agriculture sector could contribute significantly to overall economic diversification and to a more inclusive pattern of economic growth. The mid-year downward revision in the 2014 budget, however, is likely to limit progress on agricultural development targets in the near term. The political will to expand the sector exists, and the potential benefits of agricultural growth are extensive, particularly for improving human development indicators and reducing poverty.

This chapter contains an interview with Jean-Luc Wilain, Chief Operating Officer – Business Development, IBL Group.