• A new training phase for oil and gas officials runs from January to March.
• Hydrocarbons accounted for about 40% of GDP and nearly half of fiscal revenue in 2023.
• The program supports governance reforms under the 2026–2030 national plan.

Gabon on January 12 launched a new phase of training for public officials overseeing the oil and gas sector, as the government seeks to strengthen administrative capacity in an industry that remains critical to public finances.

The hydrocarbons sector accounted for about 40% of GDP, 68% of exports, and nearly 50% of government revenue in 2023, according to Coface.

Speaking at the launch, Hervé Biba Nzengue, secretary general of the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas, said stronger technical skills within the administration would improve state oversight of oil and gas resources and help secure higher revenues, according to Gabon Review.

The initiative marks the second phase of a training program for civil servants in charge of oil and gas regulation. It is being implemented by the Ministry of Petroleum and Gas in partnership with the French Institute of Petroleum and runs through March.

The program aligns with the 2026–2030 National Growth and Development Plan, which identifies stronger administrative capacity and improved governance in strategic sectors, including hydrocarbons, as policy priorities.

In October 2025, Ecofin Agency reported that the government planned to tackle job insecurity in the oil industry, where temporary contracts are widespread. The outlet also cited difficulties faced by subcontractors and noted in December 2025 a renewed focus on extractive transparency, including the reorganization of EITI-Gabon to restart the publication of oil revenue data.

Abdel-Latif Boureima