Gabon’s newly appointed Mines and Geological Resources Minister Sosthène Nguema Nguema has launched an ambitious pro‑investment agenda aimed at transforming the mining sector into a central pillar of the country’s economic growth.
Appointed on 1 January by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the minister is moving quickly to position mining as a driver of diversification as Gabon seeks to reduce its dependence on oil.
Backed by an expanded 2026 budget, Nguema Nguema said the government intends to create a more competitive and transparent operating environment to attract investors and accelerate industrialisation.
“Gabon is no longer just a destination for extraction; we are becoming a hub for industrial value creation,” he said, outlining a roadmap focused on regulatory efficiency, local processing and stronger community benefits.
“We are open for business, and we are ready to partner with those who share our vision for sustainable industrialisation.”
Mining currently accounts for about six percent of Gabon’s GDP, dominated by high‑grade manganese production.
Under the government’s Transformation Acceleration Plan, the sector’s contribution is expected to rise to 25 percent by 2030.
To reach that target, the ministry is prioritising value addition in manganese ahead of a 2029 raw ore export ban, scaling up iron ore development at the Belinga and Baniaka projects, and formalising gold production in Koumba, Eteke and Minkébé.
The state‑owned Société Équatoriale des Mines (SEM) is also undergoing a strategic overhaul.
Once a passive shareholder, SEM aims to become a leading African industrial mining company by 2030, targeting USD 1 billion in revenue.
Its strategy includes expanding gold exploration and refining, strengthening oversight of major iron ore projects and increasing domestic processing of manganese.
Nguema Nguema, an environmental engineer and former oil and gas minister, is expected to streamline permitting and introduce new decrees to clarify the 2019 Mining Code.
He will present Gabon’s investment opportunities to global industry leaders at the upcoming Mining Indaba.
The ministry has invited international investors, exploration companies and infrastructure partners to engage with its delegation as Gabon seeks to unlock what it describes as vast, underexplored mineral potential.
JN/APA