The government, meeting in the Council of Ministers on Friday 22 May 2026 chaired by Head of State Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, adopted the 2026 amending finance bill, according to Gabonmediatime. The State budget, initially balanced at 6,358.2 billion CFA francs, is reduced to 5,495.2 billion.
According to the outlet, the revision reflects lower net budget revenue, now estimated at 2,928.2 billion CFA francs against 3,808.0 billion initially expected. The bill assumes oil production of 11.2 million tonnes and a Gabonese crude price of 75 dollars per barrel. Sawn timber and rubber output fell by 36.2% and 76.9% respectively, and the growth forecast is lowered from 6.5% to 4.0%.
Also according to Gabonmediatime, public expenditure is set at 5,180.0 billion CFA francs. Capital spending is cut by 968.1 billion, mainly by removing projects that lack feasibility studies. The deficit will be financed to a greater extent through government securities, and the Head of State asked for a review of tax exemptions and the digitalisation of tax collection.
The bill maintains social safety nets, raises subsidies to stabilise fuel and flour prices and protects priority projects in water, energy, health and education. It was then sent to Parliament for review.
