United Arab Emirates – Gabon : an economic partnership Beyond Oil

During his recent visit to Libreville, Dr. Thani bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, UAE Minister of Foreign Trade, was received by Brice Oligui Nguema, President of the Republic of Gabon, to reinforce bilateral economic cooperation. On this occasion, a high-level UAE business delegation met with several Gabonese government officials to identify new trade and investment opportunities. Discussions focused on sectors considered strategic, ranging from agriculture to renewable energy, as well as digital commerce and logistics.

Al Zeyoudi summed up the purpose of the visit: “The visit to Gabon builds on the progress achieved in our bilateral economic partnership and reflects our shared focus on expanding trade and investment ties. We are strengthening cooperation across priority sectors and reinforcing commercial ties between our two nations.”

CEPA: A Catalyst for Non-Oil Trade

The visit came shortly after the signing, in early February 2026, of the Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) between the two countries. The agreement aims to boost non-oil trade by reducing tariff barriers, facilitating market access, and increasing investment flows, particularly for small and medium-sized enterprises.

The results are already visible. In 2025, bilateral non-oil trade reached $320.7 million, more than double the 2021 level, confirming the upward trajectory of the partnership. This performance highlights growing interest in sectors beyond oil and demonstrates that Gabon can play a more active role in regional and international trade.

Strategic Sectors at the Heart of Cooperation

Throughout the discussions, several sectors were identified as priorities: agriculture, logistics, renewable energy, and digital commerce. These choices align with the UAE’s economic diversification strategy and support Gabon’s goal of reducing dependence on natural resources.

The Gabonese ministers met included Thierry Minko (Economy), Sosthène Nguema (Mines), Clotaire Kondja (Petroleum and Gas), Philippe Tonangoye (Energy), Pacôme Kossy (Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development), Elsa Bivigou (Health), and Arthur Lemami, Director of the President’s Cabinet. These exchanges allowed both sides to pinpoint concrete opportunities to develop cooperation, attract investments, and stimulate local SMEs.

Toward a Tangible Impact on Gabon’s Economy

Beyond the numbers, this momentum opens the way to real economic impact. Targeted investments could support the country’s industrialization, create new jobs, and strengthen local value chains. The participation of representatives from diverse sectors — agriculture, energy, maritime transport, health, and logistics — illustrates the UAE business community’s interest in a long-term partnership.

For Gabon, this partnership also serves as a lever to enhance the competitiveness of local companies and improve their access to international markets. The CEPA is a strategic tool to translate bilateral ambitions into measurable results while securing a favorable environment for foreign investment. As the coming months will allow the monitoring of these projects, Dr. Al Zeyoudi’s visit and the commitments made in Libreville mark a decisive step in Gabon’s economic history and in strengthening its relations with Africa and the Middle East.