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Gabon is stepping up efforts to achieve poultry self-sufficiency through a government-backed programme that will provide 262,400 day-old chicks to 79 farmers across eight provinces. The initiative comes as the country prepares to prohibit chicken meat imports from January 1, 2027, placing pressure on local producers to increase output and meet domestic demand.
The distribution exercise is scheduled to take place between November 19 and December 17, 2026, with support from the Gabon Milling and Poultry Company (SMAG). For this initial production cycle, the government will cover the full cost of poultry feed and veterinary products supplied to participating farmers.
The support is intended to lower production expenses, improve farmers’ capacity to raise larger poultry batches and encourage investment in domestic chicken production. Beneficiaries will also receive technical assistance to strengthen farm management and maintain production standards.
The programme represents an important part of Gabon’s wider strategy to reduce dependence on imported poultry products. According to figures presented by government authorities, the country currently produces approximately 4,000 tonnes of chicken annually, against estimated imports of 55,000 tonnes.
To close this gap, the government is targeting domestic poultry production of between 100,000 and 130,000 tonnes by 2027–2028. Achieving this ambition will require significant expansion of farming capacity, breeding infrastructure, feed production and processing facilities.
Under the Emergency Operational Plan for the Poultry Sector, authorities intend to support 150 poultry farms across the country’s nine provinces. The programme also includes plans to establish hatcheries and regional slaughterhouses while encouraging local production of maize and soybeans, which are essential ingredients in commercial poultry feed.
Increasing domestic production of feed ingredients is particularly important because dependence on imported raw materials can expose farmers to international price fluctuations and higher operating costs. Strengthening local supply could improve the competitiveness of Gabon’s poultry producers while creating additional opportunities for crop farmers.
The government has also announced five investment agreements valued at more than 775 billion CFA francs. These commitments are expected to support projects with a combined projected production capacity of 130,000 tonnes and the potential to generate up to 100,000 direct and indirect jobs over the longer term.
However, expanding the poultry industry within a relatively short period presents considerable challenges. Farmers will need reliable access to quality chicks, affordable feed, veterinary services, financing and suitable processing facilities. Efficient transportation, cold storage and distribution networks will also be necessary to ensure locally produced chicken reaches consumers consistently.
The transition away from imports will therefore depend on whether domestic producers can increase production quickly enough without creating shortages or pushing retail prices beyond the reach of consumers.
Gabon’s distribution of 262,400 chicks marks an important step towards strengthening its domestic poultry industry, but the country’s larger ambition will depend on sustained investment and the ability of farmers to deliver commercial volumes consistently. As the January 2027 import restriction approaches, the success of the programme will be measured not only by the number of chicks distributed but also by the quantity of affordable locally produced chicken reaching the market.
