The numerous public infrastructure projects in Gabon, coupled with the policy of promoting local economic sectors, created an increase in performance in the construction sector in 2021. The trend is expected to continue in 2022, with the government's plan to accelerate transformation.
The sector's revenue increased by 18.61% year-on-year in 2021, reaching 72.6 billion CFA francs, according to the Ministry of Economy. These results were driven by "the building and public works segment, linked to the Trans-Gabon Highway project, railway rehabilitation, urban road and water supply system improvements, and the construction of new classrooms," reports Le Nouveau Gabon. This increase in construction and public works activity also impacted the paint industry, which recorded satisfactory results over the past year.
Paint production reached 2,980 tonnes, representing a year-on-year increase of 25.31 TPH. The construction sector in Gabon had been struggling for several years. It experienced an initial rebound in 2019 before falling again in 2020 due to the economic crisis.
The country has set itself the objective of revitalizing it by 2023, in accordance with its transformation acceleration plan. This will be achieved through the promotion of investment in construction materials and the reassertion of control over construction materials production, with the aim of reducing input costs and maximizing local added value in this sector.