Gabon confronts consumer challenges over food safety inspections and gas shortages

The Gabonese Agency for Food Safety (AGASA) has intensified its sanitary controls on market vendors and food outlets, prompting protests from merchants who argue that the inspections are overly burdensome and the fines excessive. Consumers and civil society groups counter that the strict enforcement is necessary to prevent the sale of expired products, breaches in the cold chain, and unsanitary conditions, emphasizing the importance of public health protection.

At the same time, Ibrahim Tsendjiet Mboulou, president of the Organisation Gabonaise des Consommateurs (OGC), warned of a severe butane gas shortage in Libreville that threatens household security, purchasing power and dignity. He called for urgent government action, transparent communication on stock levels and supply timelines, and a continuity plan to avoid recurrent shortages, urging logistics operators to honor contracts and consumers to avoid hoarding.