Isaac officially assumed his duties this month, with a mandate to strengthen labour policy implementation, reduce youth unemployment, currently at 36.9 per cent according to the World Bank and promote decent work through social dialogue. The unemployment rate is even higher among young women, underlining the urgency of inclusive job creation strategies.

ONEP, which organizes around 3,000 workers in Gabon’s oil and gas sector, welcomed the appointment, calling on the new minister to prioritize the improvement of working conditions and the institutionalization of dialogue between workers and employers.

Gabon’s economy is heavily reliant on oil, which accounts for roughly 40 per cent of GDP. This dependence exposes the country to global price volatility. As oil reserves decline, the government is shifting focus to economic diversification and sustainable development.

ONEP has called on the labour ministry to play a proactive role in developing employment opportunities in emerging sectors, particularly in the context of the country’s Just Transition. The union participates in the Sub-Saharan Africa Energy Network (SSAEN), which supports union involvement in decarbonization strategies and renewable energy frameworks.

Beyond oil, Gabon is expanding into natural gas and other sectors such as agriculture, tourism, digital technologies and mining. The country holds strategic reserves of iron ore, manganese and rare earth elements, critical minerals for renewable energy technologies, including electric vehicles and battery production. The development of digital industries is also advancing under the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA), which Gabon has signed.

As the country navigates structural shifts, IndustriALL and ONEP emphasize that social dialogue must remain central. The appointment of a labour minister with deep union roots presents a valuable opportunity to ensure that workers' rights and protections are embedded in Gabon’s economic transition.

“I congratulate Brother Isaac on his appointment as minister of labour. The appointment of trade unionists as government ministers is a signal that the head of government takes trade unions seriously and we will follow developments closely. . This appointment, which brings union experiences on collective bargaining and social dialogue to government must, benefit workers in Gabon,”

says Atle Hoie, IndustriALL general secretary.

With major multinational companies such as TotalEnergies, Perenco, Vaalco Energy, BW Energy and the state-owned Gabon Oil Company operating in offshore oil fields, the labour ministry’s role will be key in overseeing decent employment conditions and fair transitions across the energy sector.

Unionist appointed minister of labour in Gabon