Gabon Oil Company's acquisition of Assala Energy seen as strategic for energy sovereignty
via Gabon Review6 min read
The acquisition of Assala Energy by the Gabon Oil Company GOC has generated both enthusiasm and skepticism, prompting questions about its cost, financial sustainability, and timing. However, Mathurin Mengue Bibang, a senior Gabonese oil sector executive, views the operation as a strategic move for Gabon's sovereignty, aligning with the reforms of the Fifth Republic. He states that these acquisitions enable the GOC to control producing oil fields, transport and export infrastructure, and develop high-level technical expertise in drilling activities. Since the discovery of the Ozouri onshore oil field in 1957, the exploitation of African oil resources has largely been dominated by multinationals, limiting the ability of producing states to directly control strategic assets. Gabon's decision to acquire Assala Energy reflects its ambition for economic sovereignty, aiming to regain control over its strategic oil assets. This move is expected to increase the state's oil revenue, as it will benefit from dividends, operating results, and foreign exchange contributions to the Bank of Central African States BEAC, in addition to royalties and taxes. The integration of non-operated assets, including those from Tullow Gabon, is also intended to increase national oil reserves. Furthermore, the acquisition of Société de Maintenance Pétrolière SMP, involved in drilling, is expected to ensure immediate cash flows. Consolidating these assets within a state-owned company is also seen as a way t
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
Air Algérie officially launched its first flight connecting Algiers and Libreville, Gabon, via Douala, Cameroon, on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. This new service, which will operate twice a week on Tuesdays and Fridays, aims to enhance exchanges between the two countries and improve connectivity across the African continent. The inaugural flight departed from Houari-Boumediene International Airport in Algiers, with the secretary general of the Algerian Ministry of Transport, Abdelghani Dridi, and the Ambassador of Gabon to Algeria, Marie Rosine Mimi Itsana, in attendance. This route actualizes a project that had been announced multiple times in recent years without coming to fruition. According to Abd Manaf Hadefi, head of the Commercial Division of Air Algérie, this new route is intended to foster economic, commercial, and cultural exchanges between Algeria and other African nations. Air Algérie stated that the new connection aligns with public directives to strengthen the company's presence in Africa, facilitate traveler mobility, and support investments and trade within the framework of South-South cooperation. The company believes this new destination will intensify partnerships among African states and reinforce Algeria's role as a gateway between different regions of the continent. The Ambassador of Gabon to Algeria welcomed the new route, viewing it as a reflection of the shared desire of both countries to strengthen their cooperation in economic, commercial, and cultural s
Must ReadPresident Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's statement that the "Gabon, a rich country" narrative is an illusion has resonated with Adrien NKoghe-Mba, president of the Léon Mba Institute. NKoghe-Mba emphasizes that a nation's wealth is not measured by its natural endowments but by the effort and hard work of its people. He highlights Gabon's exceptional forests, rich biodiversity, and emblematic wildlife as natural assets that only become true prosperity through diligent work. NKoghe-Mba provides examples from agroforestry, high-end ecotourism, and the valorization of non-timber forest products to illustrate how hard work transforms natural resources into sustainable wealth. He cites a farmer who waited ten years for a stable cocoa harvest from agroforestry, a guide whose dedication turns landscapes into a sustainable economy, and women in a cooperative who made their forest honey known beyond their village. This presidential call to action encourages Gabonese citizens to protect, innovate, and transform their natural heritage through daily effort, fostering a shared and lasting prosperity.
From June 19 to 21, 2026, Kay Anne Gallery in Libreville will host a high fashion event showcasing the collection of Pathé'O, a renowned continental designer. The event will also feature Gabonese creations from Chouchou Lazare, Yéyé Créations, and Ndossi Village. This timing aligns with a recent decree adopted on April 30, requiring Gabonese public servants to wear African attire every Friday, creating a demand for new wardrobe options. Pathé'O, who famously dressed Nelson Mandela in 1994, has become an icon in African fashion, collaborating with brands like Dior and dressing leaders such as King Mohammed VI and Paul Kagame, as well as billionaire Aliko Dangote. His career spans half a century, evolving from a tailor in Treichville to a designer for African heads of state. Pathé'O advocates for African designers to dress their own leaders and for the continent's fashion to be recognized as a significant economic sector. The event highlights "Made in Gabon" creations, supported by the decree, and reinforces Kayanne Gallery's role as a pan-African hub since its inauguration in September 2022 by Wilma Sickout Assélé. The gallery will be open from 10 am to 8 pm, with refreshments and relaxation offered all day on Sunday. Reservations can be made at 066 84 05 97 or 074 72 43 40.