On October 14, 2025, the Gabonese Minister of State for the Economy announced the launch of a structured initiative aimed at recovering funds from economic operators. The amounts involved are 530.9 billion CFA francs for the 2023 fiscal year and 272.9 billion for 2024, totaling over 800 billion CFA francs. This operation is part of the government’s strategy to restore budgetary discipline and improve the efficiency of public revenue mobilization.
As part of an unprecedented austerity policy, the Gabonese Minister of State for the Economy has launched a large-scale operation to recover unpaid tax debts from economic operators. The goal is to collect 530 billion CFA francs for the 2023 fiscal year and 272 billion for 2024, totaling over 800 billion CFA francs. This initiative aims to restore the country’s budgetary credibility and reaffirm the state’s financial sovereignty.
“It is important that this commendable and encouraged procedure is carried out successfully because the amount is very significant. Over 800 billion CFA francs are in the hands of the operators. Indeed, efforts must be made to ensure this amount is recovered.”
Recent figures from the Ministry of Economy and Debt indicate that as of the end of December 2024, Gabon’s domestic debt stood at 2,773.4 billion CFA francs, compared to approximately 2,726.4 billion in 2023. These colossal sums reflect the scale of payment arrears accumulated by the state towards local businesses: debts for services, public contracts, VAT refunds, and social arrears.
“The recovery will nonetheless improve the state of Gabon’s public finances and it will send a very strong signal about the state’s commitment to better regulate its fiscal obligations, the tax obligations of economic operators for the good of Gabon. And also, it will send a strong signal to donors to tell them that the necessary actions are being taken by the Gabonese government.”
To restore macroeconomic balance and strengthen its financial position, Gabon is counting on mobilizing domestic revenue. The recovery of these debts will improve the state’s financing capabilities without incurring new debt, provided that the tax administration conducts a comprehensive census and ensures effective collection.