Gabon launches training program to develop local poultry industry

GABON – Gabon has introduced a large-scale training initiative aimed at 40,000 workers in the poultry sector as part of efforts to expand domestic production and reduce reliance on imported chicken.

The program will provide education across the entire poultry value chain, including feed production, day-old chick production, broiler farming, slaughtering, and meat processing.

Officials view the initiative as a step to equip stakeholders with the skills needed to support the growth of local poultry operations, which currently supply a small fraction of national demand.

During a cabinet meeting on May 30, the government announced a ban on broiler chicken imports effective January 1, 2027, intending to create space for domestic producers.

FAO data shows that Gabon imported an average of 84,912 tonnes of poultry meat annually between 2019 and 2023, while domestic output averaged only 4,122 tonnes over the same period.

The government’s training efforts coincide with announcements of major industrial projects that are expected to increase demand for skilled labour in the poultry sector.

On October 31, Gabon signed an agreement with Algeria’s Groupe Graine International to build seven breeding farms, a hatchery, and an industrial slaughterhouse with a projected annual production of over 72,000 tonnes of chicken meat by 2027, involving a total investment of US$83 million.

Earlier in October, the government also signed a memorandum of understanding with Turkish company Hakan Kiran to establish a broiler production facility and a feed manufacturing unit to support poultry rearing.

Authorities emphasise that these initiatives are part of a broader push to strengthen domestic food production, with poultry seen as a priority due to the country’s heavy reliance on imports.

By combining large-scale training with industrial investment, Gabon aims to transform its poultry sector into a more self-sufficient and sustainable industry over the next few years.

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