Gabon faces rising public debt and civil service irregularities

Gabon is facing significant fiscal and administrative challenges as the government implements reforms under President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. An audit of the civil service revealed that approximately 62% of examined files contained irregularities. Notably, 1,756 agents were identified as having abandoned their posts, resulting in an estimated annual wage loss of 8.1 billion FCFA.

Simultaneously, the country's public debt is projected to rise sharply. According to IMF projections, Gabon's debt is expected to reach 86.1% of GDP in 2026 and climb to 94.3% by 2027. This surge is driven by massive public investment in infrastructure, including roads, housing, and energy projects, aimed at addressing chronic deficits.

The rising debt levels approach the 70% alert threshold set by the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa (CEMAC). This fiscal trajectory, combined with the need to manage a growing wage bill and volatile oil revenues, presents a significant challenge to the nation's budgetary stability.