Gabonese voters have given President NGUEMA a strong mission to defeat the country’s past and pilot economic and political updates.
Nineteen months after the military-led coup that drove Ali Bongo out and ended the Bongo dynasty in 1956, the country turned the page in a groundbreaking presidential election.
President Bryce Clothea Origui Kuma, who led the 2023 coup, was popular to win the April 2025 election, overwhelming 90.35% of the vote. Opposition candidates criticized the process, but international observers generally felt that polls were reliable.
The election marks the end of the post-coupon transition period in Gabon and presents a unique opportunity for the new administration to design socio-political and economic renewals.
70.11% voter turnout in 2025 was much higher than in past polls. The previous three elections were undermined by the conflict, but the last one was less contested. This suggests new confidence in the election process and reflects the population’s desire for change observed in the wake of the coup. It also shows high expectations for the future.
The coup led to the expulsion of the Bongo family, but Gabon’s political and socioeconomic environment still reflects the past. The ongoing roles of several national actors, including Nguema, who was welcomed from the same territory as Bongos and played a role in the old regime, raise concerns about the depth of political transformation. The new cabinet also includes figures for many governments during the transition period.
Nguema needs to show changes from the past. A clear and influential message of a new start is needed along with legitimate, structural and governance reforms. The political enthusiasm following the coup must give way to democratic integration. For the first time in decades, Gaboné has hope for their future. To develop this spirit, we need a representative and responsive institution of the building.
NGUEMA campaigned on the themes of governance, economic diversification, reducing unemployment among young people, and improving access to basic services. These themes generally align with Gabon’s major challenges. But a thorough update requires a bold, innovative approach based on inclusion, transparency, accountability, and open political competition.
The November 2024 Constitution, adopted by a referendum, limits presidential conditions to two consecutive cycles and maintains a direct, universal voting system. This can protect against constitutional interference by incumbents, which is common practice in Africa. The change from a strong presidential system to a semi-presidential system that involves realigning power between enforcement, parliament and the judiciary also counters hyper-presidentialism.
However, the ability and will of executives to maintain this constitution are important for Gabon’s new democratic projects. With legislative elections scheduled for August, the composition of the Parliament and Senate will also be an important factor. The concern is that the landslide at Nguema’s election site will allow us to see opposition voices in the Parliament and Senate, marginalized by his overwhelming support for him and his political movement.
Restoring civilian trust is particularly dependent on reducing government corruption. Through the transition and election canvas, Nguema has won public support through the prominent anti-corruption campaign and the arrest of former Bongo allies.
These practices must be fixed in a transparent, fair and rigorous judicial process. It is also essential to strengthen existing organizations that retain prosecutorship and maintain judicial independence.
Economic reform is equally important, helping Nguema move Gabon and its people away from the past. The country is the major economy of Central Africa and is one of the five largest of the eight middle-class countries in Africa. However, it is highly dependent on the extraction sector, especially the oil, making it vulnerable to external shocks.
Diversifying the economy and creating jobs requires critical infrastructure investments to increase sectors such as agriculture, forestry, transportation, tourism and digital technology.
The recent EUR 350 million agreement between Innovo and Gabon’s government aims to build a stormwater network, a wastewater treatment facility in Portgentir and road lighting for the highway to the Ombughes. Another important infrastructure project is the 600 megawatt Booué hydroelectric dam worth US$2.5 billion.
These projects lay the foundation for economic change in line with Gabon’s plans to modernize transportation, water management and energy.
Since the 2023 coup, Gabon has been making nationalisation efforts in its transport, timber and oil sectors. The oil sector accounted for 25.3% of GDP in 2023. Timber represents only 3.2% of GDP that year, but is important for job creation and economic diversification.
Given the contribution of these sectors to Gabon’s economy, the state will be able to enjoy additional revenue when managed and supervised to prevent nationalization – corruption and mismanagement. It is also important to expand public-private partnerships and attract foreign investment.
Reducing the unemployment rate for young people at 35.99% in 2024 – it must be part of this economic momentum. Higher unemployment rates fuel political disillusionment among young people and promote a sense of exclusion from social and political progress.
Poverty alleviation is also urgent. As of 2023, 31.3% of Gabonés lived under the poverty line. According to forecasts from the Security Institute’s Africa Futures Team, a consolidated push to create jobs across key sectors will not only reduce unemployment rates, but will “achiev in the poverty (sustainable development goals)” by 2043.
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Of course, this depends on the government’s ability to improve governance, boost the economy and deploy comprehensive socioeconomic programs.
Two steps are essential to delivering a “new” Gabon that puts people first. First, election promises must be respected by breaking away from the legacy of Bongo through merit-based appointments, transparent public resource management, strong regulatory systems, and institutional independence and oversight.
Second, governments must diversify their economy to achieve reductions in poverty and unemployment. This requires increased public debt and bold investments in infrastructure development without relying on foreign aid.
The task of renewing the new administration is not just one of governance, but it is a state-building task. It tests whether Gabon emerges from a long shadow of its political past to build a more just, inclusive and resilient future.
Remadji Hoinathy, Central Africa and Lake Chad Basin, Senior Researcher of ISS;
Nirvaly Mooloo, Consultant Research Officer, ISS
