Gabon aims for poultry self-sufficiency with 700 billion FCFA plan
Starting January 1, 2027, Libreville will prohibit the importation of frozen chickens as part of a bold initiative to revolutionize the nation’s poultry sector. The Gabon government has set an ambitious target: producing 125,000 tons of broiler chicken annually by 2028, according to the Ministry of Agriculture. While the vision is clear, significant hurdles must still be overcome to meet this deadline.
On June 2, 2026, Pacôme Kossi, Minister of Agriculture, unveiled a 700 billion FCFA program designed to achieve poultry self-sufficiency by January 1, 2027. By this date, Gabon will halt the annual importation of 65,000 tons of frozen chicken. The country currently consumes around 65,000 tons of poultry annually, as reported by the FAO. Economist Louis Ndong emphasized the strategic importance of this shift: “The goal is to secure food sovereignty and ease the financial burden on households.”
Building a sustainable poultry ecosystem
Hervais Omva, President of the IDRC AFRICA NGO and poultry sector expert, highlighted that the project’s success hinges on establishing a fully integrated production chain. “The president has set the direction. Now, it is up to sector stakeholders to construct the upstream and downstream ecosystem,” he noted. A critical requirement, he added, is the local production of maize and soybeans, which account for nearly 75% of poultry feed. “One of the biggest challenges will be producing millions of tons of these grains locally,” he stressed. Job creation is another key priority. “While automated slaughterhouses can process up to 60,000 chickens daily with just 20 employees, achieving youth employment reduction will require models tailored to local realities,” he explained.
Attracting African investors to drive growth
Gabon is actively seeking African investors to support this transformation. Following a call to action by Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema at the Kigali summit in mid-May 2026, several African operators were received at the Presidential Palace on June 9. The government reports that the technical framework is now in place, with an investment bank already operational. Pacôme Kossi confirmed that “various mechanisms will be rolled out progressively.” In Port-Gentil, G.M., a poultry farmer with over a decade of experience and a current operation of 10,000 chickens, sees this policy as a major opportunity. “The potential is undeniable, but transitioning to industrial-scale production demands substantial investments,” he acknowledged.
The broader implications of poultry self-sufficiency
The Covid-19 pandemic and the Ukraine war exposed the vulnerabilities of countries reliant on international markets. Gabon is now prioritizing domestic production to mitigate such risks. According to the General Directorate of Statistics, 54.6% of the Gabonese population is under 26 years old. Youth unemployment is estimated between 30% and 38%, as per UNDP data. The development of the poultry sector thus represents a critical agricultural, economic, and social milestone. Hervais Omva urged young Africans to seize this moment: “The president has paved the way. Investors are on board.”
