Gabon is stepping up its drive towards self-sufficiency in poultry production with the distribution of 262,400 chicks to 79 farmers, just a few weeks ahead of the announced ban on chicken imports. This strategic initiative, backed by the government, is putting the country’s capacity to produce locally and meet consumer demand to the test.
In Gabon, the drive towards poultry self-sufficiency is entering its operational phase. From 19 November to 17 December 2026, 262,400 day-old chicks will be distributed to 79 poultry farmers across eight provinces, with support from the Gabon Milling and Poultry Company (SMAG). For this first batch, the State will fully cover the cost of feed and veterinary products. The support is intended to reduce production costs and accelerate the expansion of local poultry farms. However, behind this operation lies a major economic ambition: preparing the domestic market for the ban on chicken meat imports announced for 1 January 2027.
“Gabon is on the right track when it comes to achieving self-sufficiency in chicken production and promoting the development of the poultry industry. This strategy is supported by technical assistance for farmers and structural support to improve agricultural productivity and quality, with the aim of making Gabon self-sufficient so that, by 1 January 2027, the country will no longer need to import chicken.”
HONORÉ JUSTIN MONDOMOBE, Economic Intelligence Expert – Cameroon
According to figures presented by the Gabonese authorities, domestic production stands at around 4,000 tonnes per year, compared with estimated annual imports of 55,000 tonnes, according to some official communications. The government now aims to increase local production to between 100,000 and 130,000 tonnes by 2027–2028. To achieve this, the Emergency Operational Plan for the Poultry Sector provides for support to 150 farms across the country’s nine provinces, the construction of hatcheries and regional slaughterhouses, as well as the development of local maize and soya production.
“However, I believe Gabon needs to take a more measured approach by increasing domestic production of inputs and poultry feed. The ingredients used in animal feed should no longer be imported. The country should move towards producing organic feed and higher-quality feed in order to create more jobs across the poultry value chain and the wider sector.”
HONORÉ JUSTIN MONDOMOBE, Economic Intelligence Expert – Cameroon
Five investment agreements worth more than 775 billion CFA francs have also been announced, with a projected production capacity of 130,000 tonnes and the potential to create up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs in the long term. For the authorities, the challenge now is to turn these ambitions into tangible results, enabling locally produced chicken to gradually replace imports without putting an additional burden on consumers.
