Gabon
| Pros |
|---|
| Access to vast natural resources for export-driven ventures in timber, mining, and energy sectors. |
| Tax exemptions and simplified regulations within Special Economic Zones to attract foreign capital and industry. |
| Currency stability through the CFA Franc peg to the Euro for minimizing hyperinflation and devaluation risks. |
| Cons |
|---|
| Pervasive corruption and lack of transparency in government procurement and administrative processes. |
| Excessive state reliance on oil wealth with unpredictable fiscal policies and market distortions. |
| Inadequate transport and energy infrastructure with high operational costs and limited logistical efficiency. |
Will Gabon tax what you earn?
YES, A LOT. Gabon taxes personal income heavily, peaking at 35%. Standard residency rules apply (day-count, economic interest, habitual abode), so anyone who actually lives here pays the full schedule. The state shows up.
Will Gabon tax what you own?
YES, FAIRLY. Gabon taxes capital gains at 20% on disposal, with no annual wealth overlay and no inheritance regime. The state takes its cut when value moves, not while it sits.
Is it easy to run a company in Gabon?
NO. Gabon runs the full pressure stack: corporate tax at 30%, criminal liability for misuse of corporate assets (your own consent doesn't waive the offense; using company funds for personal purposes is prosecutable, even as sole shareholder), and public corporate registries (your name as shareholder visible to anyone with a browser). Heavy rate, real prosecution risk, full ownership visibility. Hard to design a worse operating frame for an owner-operator.
Is Gabon good for your holding company?
NO. Gabon doesn't carry a treaty network, which makes it unsuitable as a holding jurisdiction. Any dividend flowing in or out faces full statutory withholding, and no domestic participation exemption can compensate for missing relief on the source side.
| Country | Status | Dividends | Interest | Royalties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
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| ∅ // no treaties match | ||||
What does it cost to come and go from Gabon?
SOME. Gabon taxes worldwide income while you're resident, but there's no exit tax on the way out. The cost of leaving is mostly paperwork: unrealised gains follow you to the next jurisdiction untouched.
Will Gabon protect your privacy?
PARTLY. Gabon has signed most of the standard exchange frameworks and operates a public corporate registry. Financial accounts are reported to your home tax authority, and your shareholdings are visible to anyone. Privacy is shallow on both axes.
Is Gabon itself a liability?
NO. Gabon carries no entries on any major blacklist, though it sits outside FATF membership. Counterparties may apply light extra due diligence, but no formal stigma attaches to dealing with it.
Will you feel free in Gabon?
PARTLY. Gabon scores in the middle band of the RSF press-freedom index (rank #41): civil society operates but the boundaries are real. Crypto sits in the standard regulated tier.
Other jurisdictions worth comparing
Picked by similarity of strategic profile to Gabon. No editorial ranking — neighbours in the same scoring space.