Gabon plans to raise about $2.01 billion from international capital markets in 2027 as part of a draft budget that assumes stronger economic growth and a rebound in oil output.
The move underscores Libreville’s push to diversify financing sources and secure liquidity for development projects while balancing rising fiscal pressures, according to Voice of Emirates.
The 2027 finance bill, adopted by the cabinet, sets external borrowing at 1.144 trillion CFA francs (around $2.01 billion), making it the largest single line in the government’s funding plan. Authorities expect faster GDP growth and higher oil production to support revenues, but they also face sharply higher debt repayments and interest costs next year.
Beyond international markets, Gabon intends to tap domestic and regional markets, bank financing, budget support and project-specific funding to cover its needs. Debt-related financial charges are projected to jump nearly 37% to CFAF 667.3 billion in 2027, intensifying pressure on the budget and limiting fiscal flexibility.
Gabon’s public debt has been on an upward path, with the IMF projecting the debt-to-GDP ratio to reach about 94% by 2027 from roughly 71% in 2024, driven by widening deficits and higher borrowing. Fitch Ratings, which affirms Gabon at ‘CCC-’, highlights significant refinancing needs, estimating domestic amortizations of 15.6% of GDP in 2027 and external amortizations of 3.7% of GDP.
In 2026, Libreville already leaned more heavily on external commercial borrowing, including a $1 billion pre-paid oil facility with Trafigura and plans for up to $1.5 billion in Eurobond issuances under a revised budget. Gabon’s credit profile continues to constrain access to international financing, pushing authorities to blend external issuance with regional and domestic debt.
