Gabon plans to raise 1,144 billion FCFA abroad as investment declines

The finance bill, adopted by the Council of Ministers on September 18 in Port-Gentil, sets the state’s resources and expenditures at 6,223.1 billion FCFA. This budget increases by 727.9 billion compared to the revised finance law for 2026, but state revenues are expected to rise by only 48.3 billion, reaching 3,291.7 billion FCFA.

The majority of the increase is anticipated to come from cash and financing resources, projected at 2,931.4 billion FCFA compared to 2,251.8 billion in 2026. The plan includes 600 billion in budget support, 287.3 billion in project loans, 300 billion in bank debt, 600 billion to be mobilized in the sub-regional or domestic market, and 1,144.1 billion in the international market.

The debt burden is also expected to rise. Financial charges are projected to increase by 179.7 billion FCFA, nearly 37%. The proposal further allocates 1,879.5 billion FCFA for debt amortization and 142.9 billion for clearing arrears.

The government bases this framework on a growth forecast of 4.5% in 2027, up from 4% in 2026. It anticipates a 4.1% increase in oil production to 11.30 million tons, despite a reduction in the average price of Gabonese crude from 80 to 70 dollars per barrel. Manganese production is expected to rise by 8.6%, while iron ore production is projected at 1.5 million tons.

The planned investment expenditures of 1,058.4 billion FCFA include 287.3 billion in external financing. The finance bill must now be submitted to Parliament for review before the 2027 fiscal year.