World Economics Exposes Gabon's Data Manipulation Under Oligui
World Economics has awarded Gabon an 'E' grade in its latest assessment, exposing systematic data manipulation and institutional failure under military rule. The damning report reveals deliberate opacity in governance and raises serious concerns about democratic backsliding in the Central African nation.
Gabon's government faces criticism over statistical manipulation and lack of transparency
World Economics Exposes Gabon's Data Manipulation Under Oligui
In a damning assessment that raises serious concerns about democratic transparency in Central Africa, World Economics has awarded Gabon an 'E' grade in its 2025 rankings, signaling extremely poor statistical quality and opaque governance under the leadership of Brice Oligui Nguema.
Statistical Manipulation and Institutional Failure
Ranking 152nd out of 165 countries evaluated, Gabon's score of 40.5 points reveals a systemic breakdown in data integrity and institutional transparency. The assessment highlights several critical issues:
- An outdated economic baseline year, rendering GDP calculations virtually meaningless
- Use of obsolete National Accounts frameworks, hampering international comparability
- An informal economy representing approximately 47% of GDP, largely uncounted
- Severely limited statistical resources despite a bloated public sector
- Most concerningly, evidence of deliberate data manipulation by government officials
Democratic Backsliding Under Military Rule
The regime of Brice Oligui Nguema faces serious accusations of establishing a governance system that deliberately obscures economic realities. This lack of transparency appears designed to shield the regime from accountability while maintaining control over the narrative of Gabon's economic performance.
World Bank Indicators Confirm Democratic Decline
The World Bank's Worldwide Governance Indicators (WGI) paint an equally troubling picture:
- Government Effectiveness: −0.78
- Regulatory Quality: −0.70
- Rule of Law: −0.87
- Control of Corruption: −1.02
Economic and Democratic Implications
Already criticized for authoritarian tendencies, the Gabonese government's practices are now threatening economic stability. Fitch's recent CCC rating highlights the growing international skepticism about Gabon's economic management.
A Crisis of Democratic Institutions
The World Economics 'E' grade represents more than just poor statistical practices - it's a red flag for democratic backsliding and institutional failure. Recent social media discussions highlight growing citizen concern over the manipulation of public data.
Without transparent and accurate economic data, meaningful democratic oversight becomes impossible, leaving Gabon's 2.3 million citizens in the dark about their nation's true economic condition.
Rachel Whitman
Rachel L. Whitman is a political columnist and investigative journalist based in Washington, D.C. Her writing focuses on democratic resilience, civil rights, and the intersection of technology and public policy. With a background in law and public affairs, she brings sharp analysis and a deep commitment to progressive values.