Gabon Government Bans Foreigners from Engaging in Certain Economic Activities
The Gabonese government has decided, during the Council of Ministers on August 12, 2025, to prohibit foreigners from exercising several proximity economic activities. The stated objective is to "strengthen economic sovereignty" and promote national entrepreneurship, particularly among young people and women.
The affected professions include online commerce, phone repair, street hairdressing and beauty services, unauthorized artisanal gold mining, as well as certain informal activities such as unapproved money transfers or the operation of small unregistered workshops. Since a large part of these activities are carried out by foreigners, they will now be prohibited to them.
The measure will be implemented gradually, with a transitional period and the support of local authorities. Accompanying devices, such as simplified procedures, fiscal and technical support, as well as access to financing, are planned to help Gabonese entrepreneurs formalize their activities.
This decision comes amidst a debate on the place of foreigners in the Gabonese economy, with some seeing it as a means to protect nationals from unfair competition, while others denounce it as a xenophobic measure.
Gabon is thus following the example of Tanzania, which last July banned foreigners from engaging in fifteen small commercial activities, with severe penalties.
