As Gabon believes that the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership (SFPA) signed with the European Union in 2007 is not beneficial to it, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema decided on Wednesday, June 4, to unilaterally denounce this agreement. This rupture, validated by the Council of Ministers, is motivated by the Gabonese government’s desire to strengthen its economic sovereignty and build a stronger local tuna industry.
Gabon recently announced its decision to unilaterally terminate the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement (SFPA) signed with the European Union in 2007. This termination, approved by the Council of Ministers on June 4, 2025, is motivated by the Gabonese government’s desire to strengthen its economic sovereignty and build a more robust local tuna industry. The Gabonese government considers the existing agreement « deeply unbalanced » and emphasizes in particular that the revenue generated does not compensate for the real value of catches, the costs of monitoring and control, or the losses due to the lack of local processing.
“It is clear that Gabon’s withdrawal from the fisheries agreement with the EU is a strategic decision to regain control of its fisheries resources. In the short term, this creates a financial shortfall and puts pressure on maritime surveillance.”
Alfred Guillaume Azombo, Diplomat specializing in international affairs – Cameroon
Gabon, however, is considering renegotiating a new fisheries agreement with the European Union to establish a more equitable and mutually beneficial partnership. According to Gabonese authorities, the government’s new approach aims to emphasize the need to strengthen fisheries governance, protect the marine environment, and support job creation and activities in the fisheries sector.
“In the long term, this is an opportunity to strengthen economic sovereignty, develop a local fishing industry, create jobs, and encourage local processing. This bold choice can reposition Gabon as a strong player in sustainable fishing, provided that serious investment is made in national capacity.”
Alfred Guillaume Azombo, Diplomat specializing in international affairs – Cameroon
Furthermore, investments in local development, employment and national capacity building remain insufficient. It should be noted that the Sustainable Fisheries Partnership Agreement with the European Union was initially renewed several times until 2021 for a period of five years and an overall value estimated at around 17 billion CFA francs, according to official data.
