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Why invest in Gabon
Gabon: A land of opportunities…
Gabon is located in western Central Africa. It is bordered by Equatorial Guinea to the northwest, by Cameroon to the north, by the Republic of Congo to the east and south and by the Atlantic Ocean to the west. It covers nearly 270,000 km², 88% of which is covered by tropical forest and has a population of 2.3 million. The official language of Gabon is French, but English is increasingly used, especially in business.
Libreville, the capital city, is the major urban area of the country, comprising one-third of the population.
The Gabonese government is taking steps to make Gabon an emerging market by 2025, with an economic policy based on 3 pillars: green growth, industrialization, and services.
Gabon is endowed with valuable assets starting with its forest that covers 88% of the territory. Gabon’s rainforest is recognized to be one of the most diversified in Africa, characterized by an exceptional variety of rare wood species.
Natural resources in Gabon: Oil, natural gas, diamond, niobium, manganese, uranium, gold, timber, and iron ore.
KEY FIGURES & INDICATORS
- Member of CEMAC
- 2,621.9 billion CFA francs of exports in 2020
- 985.1 billion CFA francs of imports in 2020
- Hydrocarbons – Wood – Minerals
GENERAL BENEFITS
- Safe, politically, and socially stable country
- Investor-friendly policies and fiscal incentives for investors under the SEZ Act (exemption from income tax, TVA, and customs, etc.)
- Single Window Clearance System
- No local partner required
- Currency backed to zero i.e., devaluation or fluctuation risk [FCFA pegged to EURO]
- Part of CEMAC Zone – barrier-free access to a market of 45 million in population
- Strategic location and access to a West African market of 250 million in population.
- 88% of the country is covered in forest
- 22 million Ha of natural forest and 12.5 million hectares of sustainably managed forest containing over 400 species of trees of which 80 species are commercially traded
- Availability of raw materials
The Administrative Authority of the Economic Zone with Privileged Regime of Nkok (AAN) has the main mission of coordinating and ensuring the operational supervision of the functioning of all the administrations and services of the State installed within GSEZ.
To expedite government approvals, a Single Window approval facility comprising all relevant departments and agencies is established in a single building within the SEZ.
A Single Window
A dedicated government window for the SEZ offering 23 government offices.
Rapid authorizations for investors.
Express-line processing for business formalities:
24 hours to register a new business
30 minutes to register new employees
21 days to process work visas
7 days for insurance of the exemption certificates
7 days for obtaining technical approval, SEZ entry authorization, and certificate of compliance
15 min for obtaining the import-export card
incentives
GSEZ offers a unique tax status that creates a stable and competitive economic climate for companies and factories who want to establish themselves within the zone.
To ensure the competitiveness of investors, the Gabonese Government has granted several tax and customs benefits to the SEZ:
