Facing persistent price increases, the Gabonese government has announced a tax suspension on several essential goods for a period of six months.
According to a statement from the Ministry of Economy, Finance, Debt and State Holdings, in charge of Combating the High Cost of Living, the measure concerns the suspension of import duties and taxes, VAT, as well as scanning fees on food products and certain construction materials.
The affected goods include everyday consumer products such as meat, poultry, fish, dairy products, canned goods, rice, pasta, cooking oils, and sugar. In the construction sector, taxes on reinforcing steel (rebar), cement, gravel, and sand have also been suspended in order to limit the impact on housing prices and rents.
To ensure the effectiveness of this measure, importers, wholesalers, and retailers are urged to pass the reduction in charges on to final consumer prices. Authorities will carry out inspections, and a toll-free number has been made available to consumers to report any abuse.
This decision comes amid rising prices, limited supply, and speculative practices affecting essential goods. According to the latest economic outlook report from the Ministry of Economy, Gabon’s average annual inflation reached 1.8% at the end of September 2025, compared to 1.4% a year earlier, as reported by the Ecofin agency.
To contain price increases, the government created a central purchasing agency in 2025, which is expected to become operational in April 2026. This entity negotiates directly with international producers to import rice, wheat, and other food products, which will then be distributed to wholesalers at a single fixed price.
