Gabon is taking a decisive step in structuring its supply chain. Announced as operational from April, the Central Purchasing Agency is positioned as a key instrument for price regulation, the strengthening of African trade, and the modernization of logistics in Central Africa.
A Government Decision at the Core of Supply Chain Challenges in Africa
The official announcement was made on January 12 following a strategic meeting chaired by the Vice President of the Government, Hermann Immongault. The high-level meeting brought together several key members of the cabinet, including the ministers responsible for Transport, Planning, Budget and Finance, Trade, as well as Labour and Vocational Training, alongside senior administrative officials.
The objective was to accelerate the implementation of the Central Purchasing Agency, which the government considers an essential tool in combating the high cost of living and a structuring pillar of the supply chain in Africa.
Central Purchasing Agency Operational from April 2026
At the conclusion of the meeting, the government confirmed that the Central Purchasing Agency will be fully operational from April. According to Théophile Boutamba, Director General of the CEAG, a detailed implementation timetable is being finalized to secure the first international procurement orders.
“The schedule will be established, and we will engage with foreign suppliers so that the first consignments reach Gabon by the end of the first quarter, in early April 2026,” he stated.
This announcement represents a concrete step forward in structuring import–export flows in Africa, with direct implications for maritime transport in Africa, road transport in Africa, and national inventory management.
Transport, Logistics, and Employment: Expected Economic Spillovers
Beyond price stabilization, the Vice President of the Government highlighted the anticipated economic and social benefits. The Central Purchasing Agency is expected to generate significant employment opportunities, particularly in transport in Africa, logistics, cargo handling, inventory management, and distribution.
The scaling-up of this structure will also require a higher level of professionalism in supply chain management in Africa, with growing demand for logistics expertise and operational skills.
A transformative Reform for the African Supply Chain
The rollout of Gabon’s Central Purchasing Agency illustrates a broader continental trend: increasing state involvement in organizing supply chains to secure access to essential goods. For Gabon, this reform could become a benchmark in Central Africa, demonstrating how improved logistics governance can simultaneously support purchasing power, job creation, and economic development.
In the long term, the operational effectiveness of the Central Purchasing Agency will be a key test of the country’s ability to sustainably modernize its supply chain and strengthen its integration into Africa’s transport and logistics ecosystem.
