Gabon: Investing

FDI in Figures

Foreign investment into the country has been slowly increasing. After slowing down in 2008, FDI influx have dried out in 2009 due to the unfavorable international economic climate and should be recovering in the coming years. Limited market potential, bureaucracy. non-profitable projects, unskilled and expensive workforce as well as poor infrastructures all constitute barriers to FDI influx. Gabon's advantages are an easy access to raw materials, political stability and a relatively high purchasing power when compared to other Sub-Saharan African countries. Oil is the main destination of FDI in the country, France is the main investing country.

	Gabon	Sub-Saharan Africa	الولايات المتحدة	Germany
Index of Investor Protection	3.3	4.4	8.3	5.0

Source: Doing Business

Note: The Greater the Index, the Higher the Level of Investor Protection.

Foreign Direct Investment	2008	2009	2010
FDI Inward Flow (million USD)	209	33	170
FDI Stock (million USD)	1,234.5	1,267.4	1,437.8
Performance Index*, Ranking on 141 Economies	114	129	-
Potential Index**, Ranking on 141 Economies	94	-	-
Number of Greenfield Investments***	5.0	3.0	-
FDI Inwards (in % of GFCF****)	6.4	2.5	-
FDI Stock (in % of GDP)	8.6	11.7	-

Source: UNCTAD - Last Available Data

Note: * The UNCTAD Inward FDI Performance Index is Based on a Ratio of the Country's Share in Global FDI Inflows and its Share in Global GDP. ** The UNCTAD Inward FDI Potential Index is Based on 12 Economic and Structural Variables Such as GDP, Foreign Trade, FDI, Infrastructures, Energy Use, R&D, Education, Country Risk. *** Green Field Investments Are a Form of Foreign Direct Investment Where a Parent Company Starts a New Venture in a Foreign Country By Constructing New Operational Facilities From the Ground Up. **** Gross Fixed Capital Formation (GFCF) Measures the Value of Additions to Fixed Assets Purchased By Business, Government and Households Less Disposals of Fixed Assets Sold Off or Scrapped.

Tax Rates

VAT: 18%
Other rates can be applied such as 10% or 25% depending on the product. Exports are not subject to VAT.
Company Tax: 0.35
Withholding Taxes: Dividends: 20%, Royalties: 10%.
Bilateral Agreement: Gabon and Egypt are not bound by a Double Taxation Agreement.
Social Security Contributions Paid By Employers: 20.1%

Investment Opportunities

Tenders, Projects and Public Procurement: Tradeinvest Africa, Tenders in Africa
African Tenders
African Development Bank Group, Public Oversight Body
DgMarket, Tenders Worldwide
Setting Up a Company: Consult Doing Business Website, to know about procedures to start a Business in Gabon.
Useful Resources: Private Investment Promotion Agency (APIP)
Economic Developments and Prospects in Gabon - African Economic Outlook
Egyptian Embassy in Gabon
Immeuble Floria 1 - Boulevard de la Mer -Batterie IV, - En Face De L'Hotel Dialogue - 3 eme Etage
4240 Libreville
Phone: (+241) 732538- 738416
Fax: (+241)732519
Contact the Embassy via Email.
Embassy of Gabon in Egypt
17 Rue Maka El Moukarama BP 2547
Dokki-Cairo
Phone: (20-2) 70 96 99
Fax: (20-2) 360 3796

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