• Gabon convenes oil and gas stakeholders amid strike threat

• Talks focus on labour rules, employment conditions in hydrocarbons sector

• Authorities seek to ease tensions, avoid production disruptions

Following instructions from President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Gabonese authorities have brought together representatives of the country’s oil and gas industry to address rising social tensions. Local media reported the initiative on Thursday, Jan. 29, 2026.

The move comes as unions representing private-sector workers have issued a strike notice, raising the prospect of disruption in one of Gabon’s most strategic economic sectors. According to the World Bank, oil accounted for nearly 50% of public revenue and 65% of national exports in 2024.

Against this backdrop, President Oligui Nguema met with union representatives on Wednesday, Jan. 28, to review their demands and open talks. Discussions focused in particular on labour regulations in the sector, including rules governing employment conditions and dismissal procedures.

Following the meeting, the presidency announced further consultations aimed at identifying possible solutions to the current dispute. The authorities hope the approach will ease tensions and avoid a work stoppage that could affect production and public revenue.

According to local media reports, additional discussions were held on Friday, Jan. 30, chaired by Vice President of the Government Hermann Immongault. They resulted in the establishment of a negotiation timetable running through Feb. 7. In the meantime, labour organizations are maintaining their strike notice.

Government intentions amid fragile social dialogue

The current tensions come at a time when the government has signalled for several months that it intends to revise labour arrangements in the hydrocarbons sector. Since October 2025, officials have said they want to reduce job insecurity, notably by strengthening oversight of subcontracting practices and contractual terms.

Authorities have also referred to a stricter application of existing provisions giving priority to the national workforce. So far, however, these measures remain broad policy objectives. No new regulatory framework or binding implementation timetable has been formally announced.

In parallel, the institutional mechanism for dialogue in the hydrocarbons sector has been revived through the National Commission for Social Dialogue in Hydrocarbons, which brings together the state, operating companies and unions. However, the process has also revealed ongoing challenges.

Ecofin Agency reported in October 2025 that TotalEnergies EP Gabon, one of the sector’s main operators, did not attend a session of the commission devoted to employment and subcontracting issues. Unions cited the absence as an illustration of the persistent difficulties in building an effective and inclusive social dialogue within the oil industry.

Abdel-Latif Boureima