Gabon: Clear Evidence of Opaque Governance and Fake Figures, According to World Economics

A scandalous “E” grade

In an exclusive interview, World Economics experts deliver a stark assessment of Gabon's economic management under Brice Oligui Nguema. The country receives an "E" rating, representing extremely poor statistical quality. In other words, Gabon is operating in a complete economic fog, a red flag for investors and citizens alike.

A system based on obsolete data

“Gabon still uses an outdated statistical framework, based on the 1993 SNA standards, and economic data that is more than twenty years old.”

This methodological obsolescence is aggravated by the massive weight of the informal sector, estimated at 47% of GDP, which completely escapes the official statistical apparatus. As a result, the very foundations of economic policy are distorted.

World ranking: 152nd out of 165

With an alarming score of 40.5 out of 100 , Gabon ranks 152nd out of 165 countries in the World Economics index, far behind its neighbors. This ranking reveals a structural backwardness that makes it not only unattractive, but above all unreliable in the eyes of international partners.

Direct consequences: flight of investors

“International investors need reliable data. The current lack of transparency is a real turn-off.”

In the absence of transparency, distrust is growing. Gabon's rating has been downgraded to CCC by Fitch, a rating agency synonymous with a high risk of default.

Why this statistical chaos?

The findings are stark: a lack of political will, insufficient allocated resources, and an overstaffed but ineffective civil service. The statistical system has been abandoned, without reform or vision.

Emergency reform to avoid collapse

World Economics is blunt: without radical reform, Gabon is heading for regional economic marginalization. It is urgent that the authorities modernize statistical tools (SNA frameworks, base year, reliable indicators), allocate concrete resources to the General Directorate of Statistics, and establish a culture of transparency.