Flag of GabonRépublique gabonaise

What the flag looks like

The Gabonese flag consists of three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (middle) and blue (bottom). The proportion is 3:4. It was adopted on 9 August 1960, when Gabon gained independence from France, and has remained unchanged since.

Colors and meaning

Green represents the forests of Gabon — the country is one of the most forested in the world — yellow represents the sun and the equator that passes through Gabon, and blue represents the Atlantic Ocean that forms the country's entire western coastline.

Green

Represents Gabon's dense tropical forests, which cover about 88 percent of the country. Gabon is one of the most forested nations in the world and a major conservation leader in Central Africa.

Yellow

Represents the sun and the equator, which passes through Gabon. The yellow band also evokes the country's mineral wealth, particularly its manganese and oil reserves.

Blue

Represents the Atlantic Ocean, which forms Gabon's entire 885-kilometer western coastline. Blue also represents the country's maritime heritage and fishing industry.

Design origin

The flag was designed in 1959 in preparation for independence from France, drawing on the Pan-African colors of green, yellow and blue and adapting them to represent Gabon's specific landscape.

History and adoption

Gabon was a French colony from 1885 and part of French Equatorial Africa until 1958, when it became an autonomous republic within the French Community. On 17 August 1960, Gabon gained full independence from France, and the current flag was adopted on 9 August 1960 — a few days before independence. The design has remained unchanged since, making it one of the more stable flags in post-colonial Africa. In 2010, proposals were made to add a small white stripe along the yellow band, but they were not adopted.

Key facts

Adopted

9 August 1960

Proportion

3:4

Designer

Traditional — based on the Pan-African colors and the Gabonese landscape

Capital

Libreville

Country code

GA

Similar flags

None

Historical and related flags

Gabon used several flags during its colonial period before independence.

• French colony (1885–1958): French flag used during colonial rule.
• Autonomous republic (1958–1960): French flag retained during transition period.
• Current flag (1960–present): Green, yellow and blue horizontal bands.
• Presidential standard: Uses the Gabonese coat of arms with two black panthers and a golden sun.

Frequently asked questions

What does the flag of Gabon look like?

The flag of Gabon has three equal horizontal bands of green (top), yellow (middle) and blue (bottom). The proportion is 3:4.

When was the flag of Gabon adopted?

The current flag of Gabon was officially adopted on 9 August 1960.

What do the colors mean?

Green represents the forests of Gabon — the country is one of the most forested in the world — yellow represents the sun and the equator that passes through Gabon, and blue represents the Atlantic Ocean that forms the country's entire western coastline.

Which flags look similar to the Gabon flag?

No other national flag closely resembles Gabon's. The combination of green, yellow and blue horizontal bands is unique among national flags.