Gabon has announced a new financing scheme aimed at boosting domestic poultry production, as the government steps up efforts to curb food imports and move toward a ban on chicken imports by 2027.
The Bank for Commerce and Entrepreneurship of Gabon (BCEG) has granted a loan of 360 million CFA francs, equivalent to about US$638,400, to agricultural company BTF Farming, authorities said. The funding was unveiled on January 14 during a visit by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to the company’s farm in Akanda, near the capital Libreville.
The loan is intended to expand BTF Farming’s production capacity through equipment modernisation, increased cultivated areas and improved yields. Officials say the project is designed to raise domestic output of poultry and other agricultural products to better meet national demand and reduce dependence on imports.
Founded in 2019, BTF Farming is owned and operated by Gabonese entrepreneurs and follows an integrated agribusiness model combining poultry farming, fish farming and crop production. The company estimates its annual revenues at around US$425,000. BCEG, which is financing the project, is a state-backed development bank owned by Gabonese institutional and private investors, with a mandate focused on small and very small enterprises.
According to national statistics, small and medium-sized businesses account for more than 80% of active companies in Gabon, yet they often face limited access to long-term and affordable financing. Authorities say strengthening domestic agribusinesses is key to improving food security and creating jobs, particularly for young people.
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During his visit, President Oligui Nguema also announced a broader financing programme for poultry producers nationwide. Under the scheme, Gabonese farmers will be eligible to apply for loans ranging from 250 million to 400 million CFA francs roughly US$443,000 to US$709,000 through BCEG. The loans will carry an interest rate of 4% and be repayable over one year.
The president said the objective of the programme is to rapidly expand production capacity in the poultry sector, allowing local producers to replace imported broiler chicken. Gabon currently relies heavily on imports to supply its domestic market, a situation that has made food prices vulnerable to global supply disruptions and currency pressures.
Oligui Nguema reiterated his ambition to ban broiler chicken imports by 2027, part of a broader strategy to reduce the country’s food import bill and strengthen local value chains. Poultry is one of the most widely consumed sources of animal protein in Gabon, making it a politically and economically sensitive sector.
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However, analysts say the success of the initiative will depend on more than access to credit. For public authorities, the support extended to BTF Farming and other producers raises questions about policy coordination across the agricultural value chain. Issues such as the availability and cost of animal feed, access to energy and water, transport logistics, veterinary services and biosecurity standards will all be critical to scaling up production.
Import regulation will also play a decisive role. Without clear and predictable policies on imports, local producers may struggle to compete on price and volume with foreign suppliers, particularly in the short term. Observers note that abrupt import bans, if not carefully managed, could lead to shortages or price spikes.
For producers, the main challenge lies in execution. The short repayment period of one year means that farmers must rapidly increase output and secure reliable market access to generate sufficient cash flow. This puts pressure on production efficiency and cost control, particularly in a context where input prices can be volatile.
Over the medium term, the effectiveness of Gabon’s poultry strategy will depend on whether financial support can translate into sustained increases in domestic production. Authorities hope that expanding local supply will not only reduce imports but also stabilise food prices and insulate the economy from external shocks.
If successful, the programme could serve as a model for other agricultural sectors, as Gabon seeks to diversify its economy beyond oil and build greater resilience through domestic production.
