The Open House initiative was officially launched in Libreville, Gabon, on October 29, 2026, by Vice President Hugues Alexandre Barro Chambrier. The event, held at the Gabon 24 esplanade, was attended by several government members and stakeholders from the real estate and financial sectors. The initiative aims to address the challenges of housing accessibility and affordability in Gabon. The Vice President emphasized the need for accessible financing solutions and urged banks, insurance companies, and financial institutions to offer adapted repayment modalities.
During the launch ceremony, Vice President Chambrier stressed that constructing housing units is not enough if the target households lack the necessary means to acquire them. He called on real estate developers to ensure that constructions meet standards, are cost-effective, and of high quality. The Vice President also highlighted that the success of Gabon's national housing policy should be evaluated based on the number of delivered and accessible housing units, as well as the sustainable improvement of living conditions for families.
Minister of Housing, Urbanism, and Cadastre, Mays Mouissi, advocated for innovative mechanisms to facilitate access to housing for low-income households. He suggested introducing regulated savings accounts in banks, associated with adapted fiscal devices, and better mobilization of the National Housing Fund (FNH) to support sector financing. Mouissi emphasized that affordable housing should not compromise on quality, stating, "The housing is not social, it's the price that is social."
Minister Mouissi also recommended establishing state subsidy mechanisms to enable vulnerable households to access decent housing while preserving the profitability of real estate developers. He highlighted the importance of designing integrated neighborhoods with basic infrastructure, such as schools, health centers, police stations, and fire stations. This approach aims to enhance living conditions and prevent urbanization-related challenges, including floods.
The Open House initiative seeks to promote solutions that facilitate access to housing, availability of affordable land, and strengthened land securitization across the country. The event provided a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and opportunities in Gabon's housing sector. By engaging with various stakeholders, the government aims to develop effective strategies to address housing challenges.
The launch of the Open House initiative is part of Gabon's efforts to improve the housing situation, particularly for low-income households. The government hopes to extend this initiative to all provinces in the country. By doing so, they aim to increase access to affordable housing and enhance the overall living conditions of Gabon's population.
The success of the Open House initiative will depend on the collaboration of various stakeholders, including government agencies, financial institutions, and real estate developers. The government's commitment to addressing housing challenges is evident in the launch of this initiative, which is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of many Gabonese citizens.
Key points
- The Open House initiative aims to improve housing accessibility and affordability in Gabon.
- The government is urging banks and financial institutions to offer adapted financing solutions and repayment modalities.
- The initiative seeks to promote the development of integrated neighborhoods with basic infrastructure.
