In Libreville, Gabon, the Central Procurement Hub (CPH) has been officially launched, marking a significant step towards enhanced market regulation and transparency. The launch took place over the weekend, led by the Vice-President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, and the Minister of Economy and Finance, Thierry Minko, as reported by the Gabonese Press Agency (AGP). This new regulatory structure is designed to strengthen control over essential goods markets, ensuring better oversight of product quality and pricing.
The CPH also seeks to promote transparency in supply chains and encourage citizen involvement through a dedicated digital platform. The hub’s management is a mixed model, with 37% state-owned and 63% owned by national private operators, aimed at supporting local economic operators and fostering greater national participation in the distribution of essential goods. Approved by the Council of Ministers on August 12, 2025, the establishment of the CPH is part of the government’s strategy to stabilize prices in the national market, reduce costs, and strengthen the country’s food and economic sovereignty.
The initiative is a response to the broader economic goals of the Gabonese government, which include securing energy sovereignty and urban modernization, as highlighted during the presidential tour in the Ogooué-Maritime region. In addition, the country is investing in digital skills development, offering free training to 1,000 young people in digital careers. The government is also focusing on maritime security, launching the EHD BOMBA 750 vessel for fishery surveillance.
In the realm of energy, Gabon has been ranked 6th in Africa for the most expensive electricity, which adds to the urgency of stabilizing prices. Moreover, the government is tackling food security challenges, as evidenced by the seizure of 710 kg of foodstuffs from an economic operator in Libreville by the Agasa agency. The financial sector is also under scrutiny, with the BGFI Bank reporting a total assets balance of over 7,000 billion CFA francs in 2025. The Central African Economic and Monetary Community (CEMAC) is also working on harmonizing the development of the Index of Harmonized Prices for the region.
Source: Agpgabon
Original author: Redaction
