• Gabon’s BCEG grants 360 million CFA loan to BTF Farming

• Funding aims to boost poultry, fish and crop production capacity

• President announces low-interest loans to curb chicken imports by 2027

Gabon’s Bank for Commerce and Entrepreneurship (BCEG) has granted a 360 million CFA franc ($638,400) loan to agricultural operator BTF Farming. The loan was announced on Wednesday, Jan. 14, 2026, during President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s visit to the farm site in Akanda.

The funding is intended to boost BTF Farming’s production capacity. It will be used to modernize equipment, expand cultivated areas and improve yields. The goal is to increase domestic supplies of poultry and other agricultural products to meet national demand.

Founded in 2019, BTF Farming is run by Gabonese entrepreneurs. The company operates an integrated model combining poultry farming, fish farming and crop production. Its founders estimate annual revenue at about 240 million CFA francs. BCEG, which is financing the project, is owned by Gabonese institutional and private investors and focuses on SMEs and very small businesses. These firms represent more than 80% of active companies in the country, according to national statistics.

During the visit, the head of state also announced a financing programme for Gabonese poultry farmers. Under the scheme, each producer will be able to apply for loans of 250 million to 400 million CFA francs through BCEG at an interest rate of 4%, with repayment over one year. The programme is meant to rapidly expand capacity in the poultry sector. The aim is to reduce Gabon’s reliance on imports of broiler chicken and other food products. Nguema reiterated his goal of banning broiler chicken imports by 2027.

Economic stakes for public and private actors

For public authorities, support for BTF Farming raises questions about policy coherence. Access to financing will need to be matched by measures on animal feed, energy, logistics and import regulation. Without action in these areas, local production may struggle to meet the stated timeline.

For producers, the priorities are to increase volumes, keep costs under control and ensure a steady supply to the market. Short-term financing, repayable over one year, means output and revenues must rise quickly. Over the medium term, the strategy will depend on whether Gabon can convert this financial support into stable production that covers a growing share of national consumption and limits the impact of external shocks on food prices.

Chamberline Moko