• Gabon inaugurates a new border post in Kabala to improve trade and mobility with Republic of the Congo.

• The project supports regional integration under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA).

• Border inefficiencies still delay crossings by up to 3.2 days, according to the World Bank.

Gabon has inaugurated a new border post in Kabala, located in the Haut-Ogooué province along the border with the Republic of the Congo. Authorities opened the facility last week. The government designed the infrastructure to modernize migration management, strengthen border security and facilitate trade flows in Central Africa.

The Kabala border post covers an area of 867.71 square meters. The facility includes a reception desk, a waiting room and a visa issuance office. The site also includes administrative offices, a secure archive room and technical security facilities with gender-separated spaces. Authorities have also installed accommodation facilities for staff.

The government has launched this project as part of a broader strategy to modernize border infrastructure nationwide. Authorities aim to transform border posts into hubs of trade and cooperation rather than simple administrative checkpoints. The strategy aligns with the objectives of the African Continental Free Trade Area, which seeks to facilitate mobility between African states and boost intra-African trade.

However, structural constraints continue to limit intra-African trade. Poor road quality and low network density remain key challenges. In addition, land border constraints significantly slow trade flows in several countries.

The World Bank said in its report Optimal Investments in Africa’s Road Network, published in September 2024, that tariff and non-tariff barriers extend border crossing times by about 3.2 days.

This article was initially published in French by Henoc Dossa

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum