The Economic Section promotes US commercial interests abroad by encouraging US exports or investment into Gabon or Sao Tome and Principe. The Section provides assistance to American companies seeking information on the Gabonese market and to Gabonese companies seeking to import American products. Similar assistance is provided with respect to the Sao Tome and Principe market. The Embassy seeks to be alert to opportunities for US companies in the local market. The Section researches, drafts and disseminates country commercial guides and international marketing insight (IMI) reports. These are made available on the National Trade Data Bank and at US Commercial Service District Offices in the United States.

The Economic Section also follows and analyzes developments in the Gabonese and Sao Tomean economies, engaging the two governments on issues of common interest in the areas of civil aviation and transportation, trade and investment barriers, labor, energy, intellectual property rights, telecommunications, and debt repayment. The Embassy works closely with representatives of multilateral financial institutions, the IMF and World Bank, to encourage structural reforms such as privatization, administrative reform, and fiscal reform. The Economic Section presses for open access for US investments and fair treatment for US businesspersons. The Section is also concerned with environment, science, and health issues, such as the conservation and sustainable use of forests.