GABON : Ceca-Gadis, retail giant, announces the closure of 43 stores
La voix des entreprises 
(LVDE) – This strategic decision, which reduces the Ceca-Gadis network from more than 100 to around 60 stores, was approved at the latest board meeting and raises concerns about access to essential goods in certain regions of the country.
A major player in the retail sector in Gabon, the Ceca-Gadis group has recently announced the closure of 43 of its stores across the national territory. This streamlining, which brings the number of sales outlets down to around 60, was approved by the company’s board of directors. The move is particularly significant, as Ceca-Gadis has long been considered one of the few distributors capable of ensuring adequate nationwide market coverage. The provinces of Estuaire, Haut-Ogooué, Ngounié, and Nyanga are among the most affected by this network contraction.
The company’s management explained that this restructuring stems from a structural deterioration in its economic performance, which has worsened since the elimination of a government support mechanism in 2018. This mechanism, active since 1967, allowed Ceca-Gadis to regulate prices while maintaining a presence in rural and remote areas. Without this support, the group recorded a sharp decline in its net income—estimated at -18% in 2024—as it attempted to maintain its network despite a continued drop in turnover.
This wave of closures coincides with the Gabonese State’s entry into the capital of Ceca-Gadis at a level of 35%, through the Caisse des Dépôts et Consignations (CDC). This stake, acquired in 2024, is part of a national strategy aimed at strengthening food sovereignty and promoting “Made in Gabon.” For the authorities, the Ceca-Gadis network represents a key asset for structuring supply chains for local products and supporting regional development.
However, the reduction in the number of stores raises concerns about access to essential goods in many localities, especially those dependent on long-distance distribution channels. The group has faced rising logistics costs for several years, exacerbated by inadequate road infrastructure in certain regions. The closures could therefore complicate supply in already vulnerable areas—an aspect that authorities will need to closely monitor as this restructuring unfolds.
The management describes this adjustment as a necessary step to restore financial balance and focus on the most profitable outlets. Despite these challenges, Ceca-Gadis maintains that it intends to preserve its key role in the national economy. The company is banking on a strategic refocusing, renewed State support, and an improvement in the quality of its local product offering. After several years of declining performance, the group remains optimistic and believes it still has room to turn its situation around, provided it adapts its business model and increases investments in the most promising segments.
With this reorganization, Ceca-Gadis aims to strengthen its position in a rapidly evolving retail market while meeting the growing needs of the Gabonese population. The coming months will be crucial for this emblematic company, which must navigate the need for profitability alongside the social commitment that has long defined it. The challenge of offsetting store closures while ensuring an efficient distribution of essential goods will be at the heart of its priorities.
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