Gabon’s Consumer Groups Call for Transparency in TaxSuspension Measures. Libreville, Gabon — 16 February 2026 (AGP) – The Gabonese consumer advocacy groups, the Réseau pour la protection des consommateurs du Gabon (RPCG) and the Organisation gabonaise des consommateurs (OGC), have welcomed the suspension of taxes and duties on food products and certain construction materials.
However, they have also called for transparent implementation to ensure the measure effectively benefits consumers, reports the Agence Gabonaise de Presse.
The RPCG and OGC’s President, Ibrahim Tsendjiet Mboulou, commended the move during a press briefing, noting that it reflects a commitment from high-level authorities, including President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, to address the challenges of high living costs. Officials commented on the matter.
However, Mboulou also cautioned that similar measures in the past have not always yielded the intended results.
He highlighted instances where benefits from tax exemptions were exploited by some importers, subsidized goods were sold outside the national territory, and unauthorized products were granted “high cost of living “approval, adversely affecting consumers. They propose the establishment of independent control mechanisms, in collaboration with civil society organizations, as well as the implementation of product traceability systems and regular communication on imported volumes, tax exemptions, and pricing.
The suspension of taxes and duties is part of a broader effort by the Gabonese government to mitigate the impact of inflation and to make essential goods more affordable for citizens.
