The Indigenous World 2025: Gabon

Written on 25 April 2025. Posted in Gabon

Gabon's total population is estimated at 2,397,368. The percentage of Indigenous Peoples in Gabon is thought to be less than 1% of the national population, or between 18,000 and 20,000 people.^[1] This estimate will become clearer with the final report of the general population census that is currently ongoing.

Indigenous Peoples are mainly hunter-gatherer communities comprising seven ethnic groups (Baka, Babongo, Bakoya, Baghame, Barimba, Akowa, Bakouyi) with different languages, cultures and geographical locations. They live both in the towns and in the forest. Their livelihoods and their cultures are inextricably linked to the forest, however, which covers 85% of Gabon. Gabon's Indigenous Peoples continue to live in precarious poverty. There is no recent specific data on this population, and it would be good to see Gabon make greater efforts to obtain reliable statistics on its Indigenous Peoples.

Gabonese legislation does not recognize the concept of “Indigenous Peoples” but certain texts do provide for the concept of “Indigenous and village communities”. These benefit from customary rights, particularly in land and forestry matters.

Articles 1 and 35 of the Constitution^[2] of the Gabonese Republic, adopted by referendum on 16 November 2024, specifies that: “The Gabonese Republic upholds the equality of all citizens before the law, without distinction of origin, race, ethnic group, sex, opinion, religion, beliefs or rites.” “Protecting young people from exploitation and from moral, intellectual and physical abandonment is an obligation of the State and other public authorities.” It explicitly recognizes and protects^[3] social groups, notably children, the elderly and people with disabilities but it makes no mention of Gabon's Indigenous Pygmy peoples.

The Gabonese Republic has ratified several international treaties and conventions protecting various aspects of Indigenous Peoples' rights, including the UN Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). The country has still not adopted ILO Convention 169, however.

This article is part of the 39^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. The photo above is of an Indigenous activist Funa-ay Claver, a Bontok Igorot, standing alongside Indigenous youth activists and others. They are protesting against the repressive laws and human rights violations suffered through the actions and projects of the Government of the Philippines and other actors against Indigenous Peoples at President Marcos Jr’s national address on 22 July 2024 in Quezon City, Philippines. The photo was taken by Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and is the cover of The Indigenous World 2025 where this article is featured. Find The Indigenous World 2025 in full here

Indigenous youth

 There are no projects aimed specifically at Indigenous youth in Gabon. There is a National Youth Policy (PNJ),^[4] which was drawn up in 2012. The aim of this policy was to meet all the needs, expectations and aspirations of young people in order to ensure their participation in all spheres of society, as players and beneficiaries of Gabon's development. The specific objectives were to improve the living conditions of young people, develop their sense of citizenship and patriotism, and respond to international support for this category of the population. The PNJ has produced mixed results, however, failing to take into account the particular needs of groups at risk of exclusion (the unemployed, Indigenous people, unemployed graduates, orphans, people with disabilities).

2024 marked the first year of political transition, and all eyes were on the country’s youth,^[5] who make up almost 70% of the population. The stated priorities of Gabon's young population include access to decent employment, which is a major challenge, and the creation of job opportunities, notably through support for entrepreneurship. Encouraging innovation and entrepreneurial initiative will therefore help boost the economy and meet the expectations of young people. Quality education and vocational training are also major challenges. Greater investment in the education and vocational training system is essential if young people are to be equipped with the skills they need for professional and personal fulfilment. Finally, Gabon's young people aspire to a sustainable future.

Each year, 12 August is dedicated to celebrating International Youth Day. The theme in 2024 was: “From Clicks to Progress: Youth Digital Pathways for Sustainable Development”. In Gabon, the day showcased the many initiatives that are placing young people at the heart of social, economic and environmental transformation. With the support of the Gabonese government, international partners, civil society and the private sector, the UN has implemented a number of projects to encourage youth involvement. None of these projects are aimed at Indigenous youth, in particular, however.

The UN Country programme document for Gabon (2023-2027)^[6] includes improved access to social safety nets and universal health cover for children in its “Equality, inclusion and reinforced social protection” component, particularly in peri-urban areas, for children with disabilities and children of Indigenous Peoples.

The “Youth Forum for the Forests of Central Africa 2024” ^[7] took place from 31 May to 1 June 2024 in Kinshasa, bringing together 150 young people from Central Africa and Europe committed to forest protection and environmental preservation. The forum was organized by the Franco-Gabonese facilitation group of the Congo Basin Forest Partnership (CBFP), a 128-member initiative that serves as a platform for multi-sectoral dialogue on forest preservation. The objectives were to:

• Highlight the links between youth mobilization and the preservation of forest ecosystems.
• Facilitate exchanges between committed young people from civil society and representatives of governments, international organizations, research and the private sector involved in preserving forests and the environment.
• Generate innovative ideas and proposals for forest protection to be included in the CBFP Meeting of Parties, thereby strengthening the influence of young people over decision-making.

From 30 to 31 July 2024, La Baie des Rois in Libreville was the setting for the 3^rd Local Conference of Youth (LCOY).^[8] This was organized by the NGO Développement Durable et Bien-être, with the technical support of the Department for Youth, UN Children’s Fund (UNICEF) and UN Development Programme (UNDP), through the YouthConnekt initiative. The theme of LCOY 2024 was: “Climate emergency: young people in action” and it brought together over 300 young people, this time with innovations such as including young people from Indigenous communities and simulating a mini-COP. Participants discussed issues such as wildlife conflicts, energy transition and recycling as an economic lever for Gabon. The young delegates discussed crucial issues such as reducing greenhouse gas emissions, adapting to the impacts of climate change and climate justice.

Gabon's National Development Plan for the Transition (PNDT)^[9] for the period 2024-2026 is of particular interest to young people. It is essential to diversify our approaches if we are to meet the social demands of young people as a whole. Other sectors to consider include: employment, entrepreneurship, education and vocational training, political participation, health, technology, the environment, climate change, culture and leisure. We also need to invest in other areas that will help shape a prosperous and balanced future for young people. The Gabonese authorities need to draw up a list of priority projects for each sector, highlighting concrete, achievable initiatives that will promote inclusion, innovation and general well-being.

Unfortunately, few projects directly involve Gabon's Indigenous youth. To involve Indigenous youth, we need to create the conditions for their participation in decision-making. In Gabon, this type of initiative does not exist. Gabon's current transitional authorities have organized an Inclusive National Dialogue (DNI), which did involve some representatives of Indigenous Peoples. Since no information is translated into their native language, however, these latter have not had the opportunity to really express their needs. Likewise, young Indigenous people in Gabon are marginalized because, when they leave their villages for the city, they are left to fend for themselves without support or means of subsistence. They often end up with drinking problems and fall into idleness. Sometimes they are used by other communities for their knowledge of plants, or they carry out traditional work for these communities, such as offering natural baths, removing enchantments or similar. For this type of work, these people give them a little money, which they try to live on.

The Association pour le Devenir des Autochtones et de leur Connaissance Originelle (ADACO) has repeatedly called on the Gabonese government to draw up a national plan for Indigenous Peoples, strengthening their rights to education, self-determination, preservation of their territory and traditional knowledge, and decision-making. These requests have never been heeded by the highest authorities, however, including those of the Transition. ADACO continues to help young Indigenous people by offering guidance in the city and encouraging them to attend school so that they will be able to find a job later on.

It is therefore essential to develop programmes that support Indigenous youth leaders and strengthen their communities. Young Indigenous people from Gabon should be enabled to participate, share, connect and exchange with other like-minded individuals in order to tackle global crises such as climate change and injustices related to Indigenous lands. These programmes could be tied in with regional Indigenous youth activities. In the Congo Basin, there are a number of projects and activities involving the region's Indigenous youth. However, these projects are isolated and there is no real coordination between Indigenous Peoples' associations or civil society and the actions carried out in the field. We also hope that the Gabonese government will take into account the specific concerns and needs of this particular population group in its future national youth policy.

Main national events

As part of the Republican Guard (GR), dozens of members of marginalized Indigenous Peoples, still known as “Pygmies” joined the 6,700-strong military parade on Saturday, 17 August 2024 in Libreville, commemorating the 64^th anniversary of Gabon's independence.^[10] Dressed in their traditional robes, symbols of their power, the Indigenous people made a remarkable and noteworthy spectacle as they passed in front of the official podium, drawing rapturous applause from the crowd.

Areas and heritage conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs)

In Gabon, the areas and heritage conserved by Indigenous Peoples and Local Communities (IPLCs) do not have legal status enabling them to be recognized in the country's protected area system. In order to recognize the important role of these populations, a conference was therefore organized in Libreville from 20-21 December 2024, in collaboration with UNDP.^[11] With the aim of developing a national conservation strategy, participants at the conference set out the guidelines necessary for communities to take this method of conservation into account. Indigenous Peoples play an essential role in preserving biodiversity and safeguarding ecosystems in the Congo Basin. The areas and heritage conserved by IPLC could now be given a legal framework in Gabon. Among others, the conference made the following recommendations: introduce cultural days in villages to ensure the generational transfer of knowledge or cultural heritage; secure the living areas of Indigenous Peoples and local communities by establishing them as conserved areas in the face of threats from logging and mining; seize the opportunity of the revision of the Forestry Code to incorporate IPLCs; harmonize the Forestry, Mining and Environmental Codes in order to avoid overlap; and ensure better land allocation.

Generally speaking, Gabon applies the World Bank's guidelines on Indigenous Peoples (e.g. PO 4.10) but there is no specific legal text on Free, Prior and Informed Consent (FPIC).

The Indigenous people are deeply tied to their history and traditional knowledge. Indigenous youth are the custodians of Indigenous cultural values and ancestral lands. Young people are expected to gradually assume leadership responsibilities as they grow up, becoming actively involved in ceremonial practices and community affairs.

Davy Pouaty Nzembialela has been President of ADACO since February 2016. He holds a degree in English, a diploma in business management, and a diploma in diplomacy. This is the second time he has written for IWGIA, and he can be contacted at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it..

This article is part of the 39^th edition of The Indigenous World, a yearly overview produced by IWGIA that serves to document and report on the developments Indigenous Peoples have experienced. The photo above is of an Indigenous activist Funa-ay Claver, a Bontok Igorot, standing alongside Indigenous youth activists and others. They are protesting against the repressive laws and human rights violations suffered through the actions and projects of the Government of the Philippines and other actors against Indigenous Peoples at President Marcos Jr’s national address on 22 July 2024 in Quezon City, Philippines. The photo was taken by Katribu Kalipunan ng Katutubong Mamamayan ng Pilipinas and is the cover of The Indigenous World 2025 where this article is featured. Find The Indigenous World 2025 in full here

Notes and references

^[1] CIA World Fact Book. “Gabon.” Updated 6 February 2024. https://www.cia.gov/the-world-factbook/countries/gabon/

^[2] Official Journal of the Gabonese Republic of 21 October 2024.

^[3] Article 30: “The State guarantees equal access of children and adults to education, vocational training and culture.” Article 36: “The State guarantees all citizens equal access to public jobs and services, regardless of gender, ethnicity, political affiliation, religion or ideology. The State guarantees people living with disabilities equal access to jobs and public services.” Article 37: “The State guarantees health protection, social protection, a preserved natural environment, rest and leisure for all, especially children, mothers, people living with disabilities, pensioners and the elderly.”

^[4] Ministry of Youth and Sports, Gabon; UNIVEF. “Summative and Formative Evaluation of the

National Youth Policy of Gabon (2012-2021).” https://www.unicef.org/gabon/media/1851/file/PNJ.pdf

^[5] Gabo News. “Towards 2024 Year of Transition: The Crucial Priorities of Youth at the Heart of the Transition 2024 to 2025.” 29 December 2023.  https://gabonews.com/fr/actus/societe/article/vers-2024-annee-de-la-transition-les-priorites

^[6] United Nations Gabon. “United Nations Sustainable Development Cooperation Framework Plan in Gabon 2023-2027.” 14 March 2023. https://gabon.un.org/fr/223150-plan-cadre-de-cooperation-du-developpement-durable-des-nations-unies-au-gabon-2023-2027#:~:text=Le%20nouveau%20Plan-Cadre%20de%20Coop%C3%A9ration%20pour%20le%20d%C3%A9veloppement,pour%20atteindre%20les%2017%20Objectifs%20de%20D%C3%A9veloppement%20Durable.

^[7] PFBC. “Program of the Youth Forum for the Forest of Central Africa.” 29 May 2024.  https://archive2020-24.pfbc-cbfp.org/actualites-partenaires/Forum-jeunesse2024-programme.html

^[8] Local Conference of Youth, a Project of YOUNGO (Official Youth Constituency of the UNFCCC).  https://lcoywg.wixsite.com/home#:~:text=LCOY%20is%20an%20event%20under%20the%20umbrella%20of,and%20create%20an%20input%20into%20the%20international%20conferences.

^[9] Africa-Press Gabon. “National Development Plan: Government Sets Course for the Next 3 Years.” 31 January 2024.  https://www.africa-press.net/gabon/economie/plan-national-de-developpement-le-gouvernement-fixe-le-cap-pour-les-3-prochaines-annees

^[10] Ivembi, Sydney. “The indigenous people are among the 6,700 elements who participated in the military parade celebrating the 64th anniversary of Gabon's independence.” Gabonactu, 17 August 2024.  https://gabonactu.com/blog/2024/08/17/le-peuple-autochtone-fait-partie-des-6700-elements-qui-ont-participe-a-la-parade-militaire-celebrant-le-64e-anniversaire-de-independance-du-gabon/

^[11] Mussavu, Alix-Ida. “Gabon: Strengthening community participation in the governance of APACs.” Gabon Review, 19 December 2024.  https://www.gabonreview.com/gabon-renforcer-la-participation-des-communautes-dans-la-gouvernance-des-apac/

Tags: Youth, Conservation