Gabon recorded a trade surplus of 6.90 billion USD in 2025, a result that underscores the country’s structural economic strength. This performance came despite a global environment marked by contracting trade flows, falling oil prices, and disruptions to shipping routes.

The surplus stems from a net gap between exports totaling 10.73 billion USD and imports remaining stable at 3.83 billion USD. With an export-to-import ratio exceeding 2.8 to 1, Gabon stands out favorably within the CEMAC zone, where several economies have seen their trade balances shrink due to higher freight and input costs.

Global trade conditions were far from favorable. World merchandise trade grew only 4.6% in 2025, following a contraction in 2023, and forecasts for 2026 point to a sharp slowdown to 1.4%. Against this backdrop, Gabon’s ability to sustain such a significant surplus sends a reassuring signal to investors and international partners.

The trade surplus also provides a basis for rebuilding foreign exchange reserves, which stand at 1 billion USD — equivalent to 2.1 months of import cover. This level remains below the three-month threshold recommended by the IMF, making it a key area of vigilance for policymakers. Converting a structural trade surplus into stronger reserve buffers is one of the most pressing macroeconomic management tasks facing Libreville.