• World Bank advocates for green jobs as a strategic solution for Gabon's economy and youth unemployment.
• Despite natural wealth, training in sustainable sectors is lacking, hindering job creation.
• Coordinated strategy, private sector involvement, and donor support are crucial for implementation.

As Gabon endeavors to revitalize its economy beyond oil and tackle persistent youth unemployment, the World Bank proposes a strategic solution: a major investment in green jobs. This approach aims to leverage the nation's vast natural capital as a key driver for sustainable employment, as outlined in its latest economic report on Gabon, published on June 26.

The report highlights that despite a projected 2.9% economic growth in 2024, unemployment, particularly among young graduates, remains a critical concern. Paradoxically, Gabon possesses immense natural wealth—with forests covering 85% of its territory and absorbing nearly 30 billion tons of CO₂—yet this asset remains socio-economically underutilized. The World Bank, therefore, advocates for a transformative path: turning Gabon's forests not only into a bulwark against climate change but also into a dynamic engine for job creation.

Sectors such as sustainable forest management, ecotourism, carbon valuation, forest certification, and agroforestry hold immense potential. However, these fields are currently struggling to develop due to a significant lack of specialized training. If properly coordinated, this strategic shift towards green jobs could generate thousands of direct employment opportunities, especially for young people seeking professional integration. FSD Africa (Financial Sector Deepening Africa) suggests that the ecological transition could create between 1.5 and 3.3 million jobs by 2030 across the continent. For Gabon, with its extensive forest cover and low population density, this presents a unique and strategic opportunity to realign its training programs towards these high-potential sectors.

While the Gabonese government has initiated some efforts, such as the construction of a $9 million agricultural training center in Kango, set for completion by 2027, these actions are currently isolated. Their national impact remains difficult to assess without a comprehensive, integrated strategy for professional integration into these green sectors.

To effectively address both poverty and the ongoing economic transition, it is imperative for Gabon to implement a coherent policy focused on developing skills pertinent to the green economy, tailored to actual market demands. This necessitates collective action, including mobilizing donors, ensuring strong private sector involvement, establishing a national green employment observatory, and fostering the development of incubators to support emerging young entrepreneurs.

Félicien Houindo Lokossou (intern)

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