• Gabon will deploy a digital data hub to track timber from forest to export.

• Authorities aim to address major inconsistencies in production and revenue data within the forestry sector.

• The forestry industry employs about 15,000 people and remains Gabon’s largest private-sector employer.

The government of Gabon has announced the creation of a digital data hub to ensure full traceability of logs from forest sites to export ports. Maurice Ntossui Allogo announced the initiative on Thursday, March 12 during a presentation on modernizing the timber sector and improving natural resource monitoring.

According to the World Bank, the forestry sector represents the largest private employer in Gabon, with about 15,000 jobs. Therefore, authorities aim to strengthen governance in this strategic industry through digital tools.

The system will rely on the digitalization and centralization of forestry data. Authorities will track each tree from the planning stage using GPS geolocation before logging operations begin. They will also record timber volumes after extraction and monitor quantities sent to processing plants, transformed, and exported.

At the same time, the platform will harmonize data across government agencies, including forestry services and customs authorities. As a result, authorities expect to improve coordination and oversight across the timber value chain.

The initiative follows significant discrepancies in sector statistics. Government data shows that 1.5 million cubic meters of logs generated more than CFA42 billion ($73.5 million) in 2024. However, more than 3 million cubic meters generated only CFA31 billion in 2025. Therefore, authorities consider these gaps difficult to explain and indicative of weaknesses in the current monitoring and control system.

By deploying the digital hub, authorities aim to improve transparency and strengthen the reliability of sector data. They also seek to reduce fraud risks and reinforce forest governance sovereignty. Ultimately, the system should enhance control over the entire value chain, from production to export. In addition, authorities expect the initiative to support more efficient and sustainable management of natural resources.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum