The main reason for this contraction is directly linked to the difficulties of the Agro Business Group (ABG), which saw its wet rubber production fall by 18.5% at the end of March 2025. This drop is a result of strikes, social tensions, and fragile cash flow, problems that have persisted since the withdrawal of the Belgian group SIAT in 2023. Despite a 4 billion FCFA capital injection from the Gabonese state to acquire a 35% stake in July 2024, the objectives of boosting production and preserving the 800 jobs are still far from being met.

The situation reveals the sector's dependence on isolated actors, even though another key player, Olam Rubber Gabon (ORG), partially offset ABG's decline with a recovery of 3.2% at the end of March 2025. However, this performance is not enough to hide the structural fragility of Gabonese agriculture, where the underperformance of a single player can weigh down the national result.

The weakness of the Gabonese agricultural sector is a clear indicator of the urgency of economic diversification. The country, which is heavily dependent on oil revenues, has been trying for years to develop alternative sectors. Agriculture, which could be a pillar of this diversification, remains fragile, with consequences for food security and the country's ability to protect itself from economic shocks. ABG's situation is a call to action for the authorities. The state must, beyond the recapitalization of a single player, encourage the emergence of other operators and the diversification of crops to build a more resilient agricultural sector that is capable of supporting national development in a sustainable way.

CK