• Central purchasing body aims to curb high living costs

• System introduces price controls and consumer reporting tools

• Launch follows a three-month delay to finalize operations

Gabon has officially launched its Central Purchasing Agency (CEAG), a new state-backed mechanism designed to regulate markets and curb rising living costs. The launch took place on April 10 in Libreville, led by Economy and Finance Minister Thierry Minko, alongside Vice President Hermann Immongault.

The agency is tasked with overseeing imported goods, verifying their quality and acquisition costs, and monitoring their entry through customs. The goal is to ensure that import prices are reflected in affordable retail prices for consumers.

By restructuring the supply chain, authorities aim to reduce market distortions and improve transparency in price formation.

A key feature of the system is its focus on monitoring and accountability. A dedicated digital platform will allow consumers to report price discrepancies. By uploading a photo of a product, users will be able to compare market prices with official benchmarks and alert authorities to irregularities.

The CEAG also plans to stabilize supply and prices through a more controlled distribution model. Imported goods will be stored in central warehouses and sold to wholesalers at a fixed price, limiting excessive margins. A national price list will guide final retail prices to ensure consistency across the country.

The agency’s rollout was initially scheduled for January but was delayed until April to complete legal, operational, and partnership requirements. Authorities cited the need to finalize documentation, define operational timelines, and secure agreements with international suppliers.

CEAG is structured as a mixed-capital company, with 37% owned by the state and 63% by private distribution operators. It has an initial capital of CFA1 billion, or about $1.8 million, and was created following a cabinet decision in August 2025 under the supervision of the Ministry of Economy and Finance.

Its model relies on direct negotiations with international producers to import essential goods, with the aim of securing supply and controlling costs.

Through this initiative, Gabon is seeking to create a more structured pricing framework, reduce information gaps in the market, and contain inflationary pressures on household purchasing power.

Chamberline Moko