Gabon Welcomes New Finance Minister in Response to Economic Challenges
Natalie Nyathi
On January 2, 2026, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema replaced Finance Minister Henri-Claude Oyima as the country deals with financial problems, including a cash shortage and growing debts.
Gabon, an oil-producing nation in Central Africa, has become more dependent on regional capital markets for money. However, interest in its debt has dropped a lot. In December 2025, the ratings agency Fitch downgraded Gabon’s credit rating, citing a widening fiscal deficit and a lack of support from official creditors. They expect Gabon’s debt to rise from 72.9% of its Gross Domestic Product (GDP) in 2024 to 86.7% by 2027.
With Oyima gone, a presidential decree late Thursday, announced that Thierry Minko has been named the new Minister of Economy, Finance, Debt, and Shareholdings. Minko was a technical adviser before this appointment. He will focus on helping people with the rising cost of living, which is a big issue for many Gabonese. Marc Abeghe will also take charge of the budget at the finance ministry.
To tackle financial challenges, the Gabonese government plans to introduce a new housing tax in 2026. The revenue from this tax is intended to improve public services, including street lighting, road maintenance, and overall city cleanliness.
Henri-Claude Oyima had only been in office since May 2025, after Nguema won the first presidential election following his coup in 2023. His short term was marked by significant economic difficulties.