Gabon: African Development Bank and Government Discuss Partnership and Development Priorities for 2023-2027 – African Business

The African Development Bank Group (www.AfDB.org) and the Gabonese Government held national consultations on the Country Diagnostic Note (2016-2022 Country Strategy Paper) between 20-23 June.

A delegation led by Nouridine Kane Dia (Bank Country Manager for Gabon), and a government delegation headed Ms. Jeanine Lydie Roby (Minister of Economy and Recovery) held discussions. Participants included representatives from the main ministries and technical divisions.

The African Development Bank Group’s Managing Director for Central Africa, Souleymane Koné, welcomed “this consultation process which should lead to the adoption of the Country Strategy Paper which will consider Gabon’s strategic and priority options at the macro-economic and sectoral levels”.

Ms. Roboty thanked the Bank “for accompanying Gabon in implementing its programmes. It is a matter of establishing a solid framework for the concrete implementation of our projects to meet our needs,” she said, stressing the synergy between the country’s various development partners, including the World Bank.

The consultations highlighted Gabon’s economic opportunities. The country has immense natural resources, notably oil, of which it is the fifth largest producer in Africa, manganese (the world’s second largest deposits), gas (reserves estimated at 26 billion cubic feet), and the 22.5 million hectares of forests that cover 85 percent of the country. The country is moving towards greater diversification due to the decline in oil reserves.

Through the implementation of the Country Strategy Paper 2016-2022, the Bank has helped to improve secondary forest species use. The business environment has also improved. In addition, the Bank’s budget support has contributed significantly to the country’s fiscal stability, and the emergency programme put in place in response to the COVID-19 crisis has helped strengthen the health system and mitigate the pandemic’s socio-economic impact. Additionally, efforts to supply drinking water to Libreville, the capital, are underway and should be completed by 2022.

During the period covered by the 2016-2022 CSP, 21 projects have been approved for a cumulative amount of €1.45 billion.

Strategy 2023-2027

The next five years will present challenges including access to electricity, diversification and the establishment of key catalysts that promote private sector development. The Country Strategy Paper that was previously issued has been revised. The 2023-2027 strategic targets focus on two pillars. Support for economic diversification through infrastructure and improvement of business climate. And support for the human development strategy.

The revised Country Strategy Paper is designed to achieve several outcomes: development of infrastructure and value chains in agriculture, improvement of public finances, and improvement of the business climate. The strategy  also aims to diversify training so that workers skills better match the job market and to improve living conditions. The private sector, the private sector, the agricultural and timber industries, and regional integration are all key drivers of structural transformation.

Praising the constructive nature of the discussions, African Development Bank Country Manager for Gabon, Mr. Nouridine Kane Dia, said: “The Bank is pleased that its detailed analysis of the country’s context has been unanimously shared by representatives of the government, the private sector and civil society. We are also grateful for the strong convergence in views on the seven priority areas of reform. This provides a good basis for continued dialogue and collaboration with all stakeholders in the lead-up to the consultations on the next Country Strategy Paper 2023-2027.”

The revised Country Strategy Paper will be submitted to the Bank’s Board of Directors for approval.

As of 31 May 2022, the African Development Bank Group’s active portfolio in Gabon comprised ten projects with a total value of €671 million. The investments are concentrated in the governance, agriculture and water and sanitation sectors.

Distributed by APO Group for African Development Bank Group (AfDB).

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