What is your strategy for developing Gabon as a destination?
The tourism economy offers immense opportunities for sustainable and inclusive growth in our country thanks to its rich natural heritage, a rich and preserved ancestral culture, 800 km of coastline, a biodiversity unique in the world, tourist parks, world-renowned masks and sculptures but also a centuries-old artisanal art. On the high instructions of the President of the Republic, our mission is to establish tourism as an essential vector of economic development. To this end, we have, under the leadership of our supervisory minister, Mr. Jean Norbert Diramba, defined several axes in order to carry out
to implement the tourism policy as included in the Acceleration and Transformation Plan of our economy for the coming years. Since tourism is intersectoral, a National Tourism Council will be created, an entity in which all administrations will come together to establish a real tourism development plan. In order to attract tourists and investors, a Gabon brand will position the country as an exceptional tourism product, thus improving its
visibility and attractiveness on the international market.

You have worked for over 25 years for nature conservation in Gabon. Isn't this your country's greatest asset?
Indeed, from 1998 to 2002, being one of the main pillars of the creation of national parks and of the management team of the National Agency of National Parks until 2019, I know the extraordinary natural potential of Gabon, with the vocation to become the first tourist destination linked to sustainable tourism but also the crossroads of Central Africa in terms of business tourism and events. We wish to support investors in the establishment of lodges and their promotion to make Gabon by 2030, the world's leading tourist destination linked to the tropical forest with approximately 500,000 visitors per year from 2030. Part of the Congo Basin, the second green lung of the planet, Gabon is unique in the world with a national forest cover that extends over 88% of the territory. The country has exceptional preserved natural sites of rare beauty. 52 ethnic groups coexist there. A number of developed areas constitute spots such as Pointe Denis, Akanda, Sette Cama and Iguéla, Loango. Gabon is truly a preserved paradise on earth. The Last Eden…


What advice would you give to a future investor in the tourism sector in Gabon?
Gabon is a welcoming country for investors in the tourism and hospitality sectors, and investment conditions are attractive. For investments exceeding > 800 million CFA francs (US$1,600,000), the country has established:
– A total exemption, for a period of 10 years, from customs duties and taxes levied on imports and on materials and tools, capital goods and means of tourist transport in new condition, intended for the development of an operation. During the construction period of a tourist exploitation project and during the first 8 years of operation:
– An exemption from corporate tax and income tax, industrial and commercial profits.
During the following 8 years:
– An exemption from corporate tax on half of taxable profits;
– An exemption from income tax, industrial and commercial profits;
– A patent exemption during the first 5 years of operation;
– A property tax exemption for new constructions for 10 years after their completion.
For investments below 800 million CFA francs: The State has set up a tax credit corresponding to 5% of the amount excluding tax of the investment for a period of 5 years.
Isn't this a welcoming land for future investors?