Gabon acquires more than 200 machines to boost agricultural and construction activities
In a significant move to bolster its agricultural and construction sectors, Gabon has recently invested in mechanization. The acquisition of over 200 machines marks a pivotal step in the country’s commitment to enhancing productivity and self-sufficiency. This strategic decision aligns with Gabon’s broader economic diversification and sustainable development vision.
The infusion of advanced machinery into Gabon’s agricultural landscape is set to revolutionize the sector. Historically reliant on manual labour, this shift towards mechanization promises to increase efficiency, yield, and the overall quality of agricultural output. It is a clear nod to the government’s GRAINE program, which aims to support local farmers and significantly reduce the nation’s food import bill.
Moreover, the construction industry stands to gain immensely from this initiative. The deployment of these machines will accelerate infrastructure development, a critical component of Gabon’s economic growth. The move is expected to create jobs, enhance skill sets, and attract a younger, more tech-savvy workforce to these vital sectors.
Training and development are at the heart of this initiative. Gabon’s collaboration with Caterpillar to train local personnel in Morocco, and the establishment of a training centre in the Special Economic Zone of Nkok, demonstrates a commitment to building a knowledgeable workforce capable of operating and maintaining the new machinery.
This investment is not just about machines; it’s about people and progress. It’s about laying the groundwork for a future where Gabon is less dependent on imports and more reliant on its land and labour. The move towards mechanization is a testament to Gabon’s foresight and dedication to empowering its citizens and securing a more self-reliant and prosperous future.
As Gabon continues to navigate its path towards modernization and self-reliance, the world watches with interest. This bold step towards mechanization may well serve as a blueprint for other nations seeking to empower their agricultural and construction sectors through technology and training. Gabon’s journey is a beacon of innovation and resilience, signalling a new era of growth and opportunity.
On August 14, 2024, the Gabonese government received at the Port of Owendo, a shipment of more than 200 machines for road and agricultural works. The amount of the investment has not been disclosed but we note that many of these machines are stamped with the name of the group “Ebomaf” company in the construction sector belonging to Burkinabe Mahamadou Bonkoungou. This acquisition comes after the validation of the National Development Plan for the Transition (Pndt) which is based on approximately 1,333 billion CFA francs to develop transport through studies, rehabilitation, priority roads and other priority roads over the period 2024-2027.
According to the Gabonese Minister of Transport, General Flavien Nzengui Nzoundou, “the Gabonese have suffered over the last 10 years from the poor state of the road network. This feeling of disappointment was expressed during the meetings held in July during which the Gabonese asked that the authority (all the public works subdivisions) be rehabilitated,” he told the press. A statement that is not fortuitous when reading the official figures: approximately 20% of the length of tarred roads in Gabon (2,771 km) out of a total estimated at 10,344 km.
According to the details provided by the Ministry of Economy and Participations, these machines will be mainly used for the construction of the bypass road in Malibé 2 (North of Libreville) which is about a hundred kilometres long. In addition, we learned, that some of these machines will help to revitalize the activities of Public Works subsidies to guarantee better maintenance of the national road network. For Minister Mays Mouissi, in addition to construction, “the second problem is that of agriculture which has never really taken off because farmers have always been under-equipped.”
According to a report published by the French Treasury General Directorate in 2018, Gabon remains dependent on external sources of food. The reason is that despite a potential of 5.2 million arable land and a climate conducive to agricultural activity, imports provide approximately 60% of the food consumed in this CEMAC country and agriculture only contributes 3.8% of the GDP during the period under review. The same source adds that the contribution of agriculture to the formation of Gabonese GDP has gradually “declined” in recent decades following the discovery and exploitation of oil resources. The acquisition of agricultural machinery would therefore allow Oligui Nguema’s country to play “a crucial role in the implementation of Gabon’s agricultural policy, in particular by contributing to the development of the sector and by strengthening the productivity of farms”, hopes Mays Mouissi.
