The Gabon Country Climate and Development Report (CCDR), released on December 2, 2025, provides an in-depth analysis of Gabon’s growth and economic diversification prospects in the context of climate change. The report emphasizes Gabon’s status as a global environmental leader and one of the world’s most forested nations, highlighting how climate change intersects with development priorities and identifying pathways for resilient and sustainable growth. Cheick F. Kanté, World Bank Division Director for the Central African region, noted that Gabon can leverage its natural wealth to build a more resilient and inclusive economy, protect forests, secure livelihoods, improve health, and create opportunities for future generations.
Although Gabon’s forests absorb more carbon than the country emits, its economy remains heavily reliant on oil revenues, making it vulnerable to climate shocks and global decarbonization trends. Rising temperatures, fluctuating rainfall, and increased risks of floods and coastal erosion threaten communities, particularly in urban and coastal areas where most of the population and infrastructure are concentrated. These hazards could exacerbate fiscal pressures and negatively impact key sectors such as agriculture, infrastructure, and employment. Without effective adaptation measures, climate impacts could reduce Gabon’s GDP by 3.5 to 5.3% by 2050 under a business-as-usual scenario, with losses stemming from heat-related productivity declines, lower agricultural yields, infrastructure damage, and increased climate-sensitive diseases. Even under high-growth reform scenarios, GDP losses are projected between 3.1 and 4.8%, highlighting that economic growth alone cannot shield the country from climate impacts. Severe climate scenarios could also increase poverty by nearly two percentage points by 2050.
To enhance climate resilience and safeguard livelihoods, the report identifies three priority areas for action. First, upgrading the built environment and infrastructure by improving energy access and reliability, managing water resources, and integrating climate risks into urban planning and transport. Second, enhancing natural capital management through sustainable forestry, climate-smart agriculture, and biodiversity conservation to protect ecosystems and rural livelihoods. Third, investing in human capital by strengthening health systems, building climate-resilient education infrastructure, and expanding adaptive social protection programs.
Aissatou Diallo, World Bank Resident Representative for Gabon, emphasized that adaptation should be viewed as an investment rather than a cost. By pairing sound fiscal management with policies that empower people and protect natural assets, Gabon can transform climate resilience into a driver of competitiveness, inclusion, and long-term sustainable growth.
