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In a bid to diversify Gabon’s economy away from hydrocarbons, the government has been looking to boost the tourism sector as a means to generate foreign currency, create jobs and promote social and economic development across the country. The sector is expected to develop in the next few years on the back of expanded hotel capacity, upgraded transport infrastructure and better air links, following the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations (ACN). As a major regional event, the 2017 ACN should give the sector a major boost, especially with regard to hotel capacity. However, further work to address obstacles, including a lack of qualified staff, insufficient transport links to parks and ongoing poaching activities, remains crucial to developing the industry.

Already the most developed market in Central Africa, according to the International Telecommunications Union, the expansion of Gabon’s ICT sector is high on the government’s priority list for the coming years, as it continues to push for economic diversification and private sector development. In 2015 the sector accounted for 5% of the economy, according to the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies. However, the government has laid out ambitious strategies to broaden access and inclusion, which will require significant capital investments, particularly in rural areas, which may become more difficult in light of the government’s slowing revenues. This chapter contains a roundtable with Abderrahim Koumaa, Director-General, Gabon Telecom; Alain Kahasha, Managing Director, Airtel Gabon; and George Akoury, CEO, Azur Gabon.

The mining sector has traditionally been a major currency earner for Gabon. The country is the world’s fourth-largest producer of manganese, and is thought to have more than 2bn tonnes of iron ore, over 40 tonnes of proven gold reserves, and a range of other base and rare-earth minerals, including lead, zinc, copper, diamonds, niobium and titanium. The mining sector’s contribution to GDP is estimated to have remained flat at 4% in 2015. However, the potential of the sector is illustrated by government plans to boost GDP contribution to 25% over the next 15 years. This chapter contains interviews with Martial-Rufin Moussavou, Former Minister of Mining and Industry; and Pietro Amico, General Representative, Eramet Gabon.

As part of Gabon’s economic growth strategy, the authorities have been looking to accelerate the development of transport infrastructure in recent years as a means to improve national logistics competitiveness and boost development in remote areas of the country. All of the state’s planned infrastructure development projects – road, railway, shipping and aviation – have been outlined in the National Programme of Infrastructure Development, which was set out by the government in 2012. In recent years, authorities have heavily invested in transportation development as a means to improve Gabon’s logistic competitiveness and bolster economic diversification in remote areas. Although transport infrastructure is set to continue expanding, the lack of financial resources is expected to slow the pace of project developments. Since the drop in oil prices in 2014, the government’s budget has shrunk and debt has risen. As such, the development of new economic segments should serve as the primary drivers of growth for the sector in coming years. This chapter contains an interview with Tsuyoshi Kamihira, CEO, Portek Group.

Following the construction surge leading up to the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations, the sector’s focus shifted towards improving infrastructure, roads and housing. However, the economic malaise facing Gabon in light of the domestic debt crisis, coupled with the subsequent reduction in oil prices, has translated into a serious slowdown in the construction sector, which shrunk by 3% in 2015. While the 2017 Africa Cup of Nations will create some construction demand, the main industry drivers are expected to be infrastructure and housing. A network of roads and bridges connecting Libreville to Port-Gentil is slated to open in 2017, which will also drive a reduction in transport costs that should yield both cheaper inputs and construction materials. This chapter contains an interview with Salim Kaddouri, Director-General, CIMAF Gabon; and Deputy Director-General, Cimgabon.

Much attention is being focused on Gabon’s rural areas and on developing the 5m ha of fertile land it contains. While the country has one of the lowest population densities in sub-Saharan Africa, around 86% of its 1.8m inhabitants have opted to live in the major urban centres. As a result, the rural workforce is lacking and work is being undertaken to tackle this issue through advertising campaigns that convey the image of farmers as entrepreneurs. However, another challenge in terms of developing a rural workforce is a need for training facilities. From a forestry operator’s perspective, the cost of labour is also a key consideration. This chapter includes a dialogue with Frederic Ober, Director-General, Precious Woods CEB; and Didier Balzaretti, Former Director-General, Rougier Gabon.