Rwandan investors are preparing one of the most ambitious cross-border agricultural projects in Central Africa, with plans to develop large-scale commercial farming operations in Gabon as the two countries deepen cooperation in agriculture and food production.
The initiative follows discussions between Gabon’s Ambassador to Rwanda, Sylver Aboubakar Minko Mi-Nseme, and representatives of Rwanda’s agricultural sector, during which Gabon formally offered farmland to investors interested in expanding into the country. According to the ambassador, the Gabonese government is prepared to allocate land based on investors’ requirements, arguing that land availability is not a constraint for agricultural development.
The discussions centre on KTHUB, a Rwandan agribusiness company established by a consortium of eight investors specialising in agriculture, livestock, irrigation, renewable energy and agro-processing. The consortium plans to establish large-scale commercial operations in Gabon using a fully integrated value chain model rather than conventional crop farming.
The proposed investment would combine crop production with poultry and cattle farming, animal feed manufacturing, meat processing and marketing. Company officials say the project requires at least 50,000 hectares of farmland to support integrated production of maize, cassava, coffee and vegetables alongside livestock operations.
The timing aligns with Gabon’s broader agricultural policy. The government has announced its intention to phase out broiler chicken imports from January 2027 as part of efforts to expand domestic production. Rather than relying on imported poultry, Libreville aims to build local production capacity, creating opportunities for investors capable of establishing complete agricultural value chains.
Under the proposed model, crops grown in Gabon would supply locally produced animal feed, supporting poultry and livestock operations before moving into processing and distribution. The approach mirrors Rwanda’s emphasis on vertically integrated agribusiness, where production, processing and marketing operate as a single commercial system.
The partnership also reflects complementary priorities rather than simple capital flows. Gabon contributes extensive agricultural land and government support for investment, while Rwanda brings technical expertise developed through decades of agricultural modernisation, particularly in intensive farming, value addition and agribusiness management.
Beyond poultry, discussions have expanded to crop production and fisheries. Gabon has identified dedicated areas for investment in maize, cassava, vegetables and livestock, while officials from both countries say they also intend to exchange expertise in fisheries and agricultural technologies. Rwanda, meanwhile, is expected to share experience in agricultural subsidy programmes and modern production techniques.
The scale of the proposed investment could have a broader economic impact. According to KTHUB, the project has the potential to create up to 10,000 jobs, while contributing to Gabon’s objective of strengthening domestic food production and reducing dependence on imported agricultural products. If implemented, the initiative would represent more than a bilateral investment project. It would demonstrate a growing trend of intra-African investment, where countries increasingly leverage complementary strengths—land, expertise and private capital—to build regional value chains rather than relying exclusively on partners from outside the continent.
