Ceca-Gadis

Ceca-Gadis (Compagnie d'exploitations commerciales africaines – Société gabonaise de distribution) is a Gabonese mass distribution and retail company headquartered in Libreville. It is the country's leading food retail and mass distribution operator, with a multi-format, multi-banner model spanning supermarkets, superettes, and convenience stores. The company traces its origins to 1933, when the Compagnie d'exploitations commerciales africaines (CECA), a French colonial trading company, was founded and operated in Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Upper Volta, and Gabon. In 1962, the Gabonese state acquired 75% of CECA's shares, transforming it into CECA-GADIS and moving its headquarters from Paris to Libreville. The company subsequently expanded its store network into Gabon's interior, including Ndjolé, Lastourville, and Mouila. In 1967, the Gabonese state signed an agreement with two French companies, SCOA and Optorg, which entered the capital. The state, still holding 42%, later withdrew, ceding its stake to private investors grouped in a holding company called GAGEPAR. In 1995, Optorg exited, furthering the "Gabonization" of the shareholder base. During the 2000s, Ceca-Gadis continued to develop, opening a 2,000 m² large-format store in Libreville (Géant Ckdo). In 2010, the group opened a Super Ckdo in Port-Gentil, followed by another in 2012 in São Tomé. In February 2024, the Gabonese state, through the Caisse des dépôts et consignations, repurchased 35% of Ceca-Gadis shares it considered "unduly held" by private interests. Today, Ceca-Gadis operates a portfolio of banners including Gaboprix, Cecado, Intergros, Supergros, Géant Ckdo, Maxi Ckdo, Super Ckdo, CK2, Matelec, and Sogame Equip. Its banners are present in all provinces of Gabon, and the company has also been present in São Tomé since 2012. According to its official website, the company operates 104 stores and employs more than 1,600 people. Its activities cover wholesale, semi-wholesale, and retail through food and non-food stores, including supermarkets, superettes, and convenience stores. The company positions itself as a historical player in Gabonese commerce and distribution since 1933, with a mission to offer service as close as possible to customer needs.

Ceca-Gadis originated from the Compagnie d'exploitations commerciales africaines (CECA), a French colonial trading company founded in 1933 that operated in Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Upper Volta, and Gabon. In 1962, the Gabonese state acquired 75% of CECA's shares, and the company became CECA-GADIS. Its headquarters was transferred from Paris to Libreville. The company then significantly expanded its store network into localities in the interior of Gabon, such as Ndjolé, Lastourville, and Mouila. In 1967, the Gabonese state signed an agreement with two French companies, SCOA and Optorg, which entered the capital. The state, still holding 42%, later withdrew, leaving its share to private investors grouped in a holding company called GAGEPAR. In 1995, Optorg exited, marking a further step toward the "Gabonization" of the shareholder base. In the 2000s, Ceca-Gadis continued its development by opening a 2,000 m² large-format store in Libreville (Géant Ckdo). In 2010, the group opened a Super Ckdo in Port-Gentil, followed by another in 2012 in São Tomé. In February 2024, the Gabonese state, through the Caisse des dépôts et consignations, repurchased 35% of Ceca-Gadis shares it considered "unduly held" by private interests. As of 2018, the company operated approximately 150 stores. According to its official website, it now operates 104 stores and employs over 1,600 people, with banners present in all provinces of Gabon and a presence in São Tomé since 2012.

• 2024

  Gabonese state, via Caisse des dépôts et consignations, repurchases 35% of Ceca-Gadis shares it considered unduly held by private interests.

• 2018

  Company operates approximately 150 stores.

• 2012

  Group opens a Super Ckdo in São Tomé, marking its presence in the country.

• 2010

  Group opens a Super Ckdo in Port-Gentil.

• 2000

  Ceca-Gadis opens a 2,000 m² large-format store in Libreville (Géant Ckdo).

• 1995

  Optorg exits, furthering the "Gabonization" of the shareholder base.

• 1967

  Gabonese state signs agreement with SCOA and Optorg, which enter the capital.

• 1962

  Gabonese state acquires 75% of CECA, which becomes CECA-GADIS; headquarters moves from Paris to Libreville.

• 1933

  Compagnie d'exploitations commerciales africaines (CECA) founded as a French colonial trading company operating in Congo, Côte d'Ivoire, Upper Volta, and Gabon.

Historical leader in Gabonese food retail and mass distribution, offering a multi-format, multi-banner network close to customers across all provinces.

• Géant Ckdo

  Large-format store of 2,500 m² offering a complete range of food and non-food products, from partner brands to local products.

• Maxi Ckdo

  Self-service banner with 1,000 m² sales area, offering practical products, pleasure products, and fresh produce.

• Super Ckdo

  Banner with 4,000 m² surface, offering a wide choice of fresh and local products, plus non-food assortment.

• Matelec

  Specialist in electrical infrastructure, providing electrical equipment for residential, commercial, and industrial use, with over 500 products.

• Sogame Equip

  Supplies construction materials, equipment, professional tools, services, and advice for professionals.

• Gaboprix

  Banner based on human-scale, functional points of sale of 50 to 170 m², offering over 700 food references at the lowest prices.

• CK2

  Non-food distribution banner for home and family products, with thousands of references.

1. 1CECA-GADIS official websitececagadis.com
2. 2CECA-GADIS – Aboutcecagadis.com
3. 3Ceca-Gadis on Wikidatawikidata.org
4. 4Ceca-Gadis on French Wikipediafr.wikipedia.org