• Gabon created a National Public Debt Committee to oversee debt policy, coordination and control.
• The government also launched an audit to determine the actual level of state liabilities with support from the IMF.
• Gabon’s total public debt rose 20.6% to CFA8,606.6 billion ($15.3 billion) by the end of October 2025.

Gabon approved the creation of a National Public Debt Committee (CNDP) during a cabinet meeting held on Thursday, April 30, as authorities moved to strengthen oversight of the country’s rising debt burden.

The government adopted a decree defining the committee’s responsibilities, organization, operating procedures and referral mechanisms.

“The CNDP is the national body responsible for coordination, guidance, advisory functions and oversight in matters related to borrowing policy and public debt management,” the cabinet statement said.

The government added that the initiative fulfills a regional requirement that remained unenforced for several years despite the adoption of similar measures in 2013 and 2018.

The new framework relies on three complementary entities. A coordination committee chaired by the minister responsible for public debt will oversee deliberations and decision-making.

Meanwhile, a technical committee will review borrowing projects, restructuring operations and guarantee requests before issuing recommendations. In addition, the permanent secretariat, managed by the General Directorate of Debt, will supervise operational execution of the committee’s missions.

Audit to Determine the Real Level of State Liabilities

The reform comes as the government reassesses the country’s financial position. Authorities also announced the creation of a commission tasked with conducting a public debt audit aimed at determining the actual level of state liabilities in line with international public finance statistics standards and the regulatory framework of the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.

The audit will run over a period of two to three months. The commission will distinguish liabilities that comply with public debt accounting rules from obligations requiring specific treatment based on the true nature of the commitments contracted by the state.

According to the government, the initiative responds to several findings, including uncompleted projects financed through public borrowing, the absence of transfers of certain funds to public treasury accounts and contractual and budgetary irregularities identified between 2016 and 2023.

The commission will operate under the coordination of the Minister of Economy and Finance with support from the International Monetary Fund.

Authorities said the commission will also lay the groundwork for a strategy aimed at securing new financing dedicated to basic infrastructure development.

Debt Rises as Financing Needs Increase

The reorganization comes as Gabon’s debt indicators continue to deteriorate. According to data from the General Directorate of Debt, the country’s total public debt stock increased to CFA8,606.6 billion ($15.3 billion) at the end of October 2025 from CFA7,133 billion at the beginning of the year.

The CFA1,473 billion increase over 10 months represents a rise of 20.6%. The government attributed the increase to heavier reliance on borrowing to meet financing needs. Domestic debt accounted for the largest share of total debt, reaching CFA4,391.9 billion, while external debt stood at CFA4,214.8 billion.

The creation of the CNDP and the launch of the audit therefore reflect the government’s intention to regain control over the country’s debt trajectory.

Chamberline Moko