Gabon’s newly inaugurated president, Brice Oligui Nguema, has appointed Henri-Claude Oyima as the country’s new finance minister. The appointment follows Nguema’s sweeping victory in the April presidential elections.
Oyima, a well-known figure in Gabon’s financial sector, serves as the CEO of BGFI Bank and the head of the Gabonese Confederation of Businesses. His selection reflects Nguema’s commitment to addressing Gabon’s ongoing liquidity crisis.
President Nguema has outlined ambitious plans to revitalise the country’s oil-dependent economy. He aims to strengthen sectors such as agriculture, industry, and tourism, while also combating the endemic corruption that has plagued Gabon’s governance.
The appointment comes after Nguema’s power shift in 2023, when he ousted the Bongo family, which had ruled Gabon for over five decades. With Oyima at the helm of the economy and finance, Nguema’s administration faces the challenge of restoring fiscal stability and fostering economic diversification.
Oyima was unavailable for comment, but his appointment is seen as a strategic move to inject expertise into the government’s financial planning at a critical time for the nation.
