Policy adjustment
On 2026-08-04, Gabon passed an amendment to the 2026 Finance Law reducing the VAT rate on locally produced rebar (fer à béton) from 10% to 3%, compared with the standard rate of 18% for most goods. The move aims to accelerate the development of the domestic steel industry and reduce reliance on imports.
Industry impact
The policy is the latest signal of the Gabonese government's reindustrialization strategy, encouraging local processing through increased tax incentives and reducing imports of materials needed for large infrastructure and housing projects. Cameroon-based steel group Prometal started construction of its first plant in Gabon in July.