Gabonese delegation heads to Perth for Belinga project infrastructure talks after Paris visit
via Gabon Review5 min read
Following a state visit to France, a Gabonese delegation is traveling directly to Perth, Australia, to meet with Fortescue. The discussions will focus on the control of infrastructure for the Belinga iron ore project, rather than geological aspects. This includes a deep-water port, 535 kilometers of railway, and a 400-megawatt dam, representing the largest industrial project ever undertaken in Gabon. The delegation, led by Vice President of the Government Hermann Immongault, and including Minister of Mines and Geological Resources Sosthène Nguema Nguema and Minister of Industry and Local Transformation Lubin Ntoutoume, is addressing Fortescue's dissatisfaction with the current project structure. Fortescue's initial proposal for an integrated solution covering the mine, rail, port, and energy was altered when Gabon signed an agreement with Africa Global Logistics and Algest Investment Bank in April 2026, entrusting AGL with the deep-water port construction. This decision effectively removed three of the four components from Fortescue's integrated plan. Fortescue reportedly conveyed its concerns through diplomatic channels. Gabon's decision to disaggregate the project is attributed to Fortescue's perceived slow progress since 2023 and the country's past experience with Eramet and its subsidiary Comilog, which controls both the Moanda manganese mine and associated transport infrastructure. Gabon aims to retain control over infrastructure, even if built by third parties, to preve
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Gabon Review.
Must ReadGabon's revised finance law, promulgated on July 17, shows a significant 97% reduction in expected corporate tax revenue from the mining sector. The anticipated income from mining companies dropped from 53.2 billion CFA francs to 1.47 billion CFA francs, a decrease of nearly 51.8 billion CFA francs. This reduction alone accounts for over 5% of the total revenue revision. Other state revenues were generally revised downwards by 20% to 30%. Beyond corporate tax, other revenue streams from the mining sector also saw substantial declines. Export duties on minerals fell by 60% from 44 billion to 17.6 billion CFA francs, and state participation in mining companies decreased by 49% from 29 billion to 14.8 billion CFA francs. Revenues from the mining domain dropped by 28%, and the tax on mineral products by 36%. These reductions also impacted organizations funded by these revenues, such as the Société équatoriale des mines SEM and the Strategic Fund for Manganese Transformation. The revised law also approved two mining agreements with Nouvelle Gabon Mining SA, granting extensive tax and customs exemptions for the "Manganèse Franceville" concession and the Okondja-Lebaye manganese exploitation permit. These exemptions include corporate tax, minimum flat tax, VAT on local purchases and imports, property tax, and customs duties on project-related materials and equipment. The budget allocated for the control of the mining sector also saw an 86% reduction, with the "Industry and Mines" mi
Must ReadA petition initiated by Gabonese students is challenging school regulations that mandate shaved heads for boys and prohibit certain natural hairstyles for girls. The petition, addressed to the President and the Minister of National Education, argues that these rules contradict the school's teaching of pride in African roots and create unnecessary physical formatting that leads to complexes among adolescents. With nearly 3,000 signatures and over 1,400 comments, the online mobilization highlights students being sanctioned or excluded from classes over hair length, despite focusing on their studies. The petitioners emphasize that intelligence is not linked to hairstyles and that well-maintained natural hair is compatible with academic concentration and respect for authority. They point out that no legal text supports these mandatory hair rules, which are merely custom copied across internal school regulations. The students are not seeking to abandon discipline but advocate for the right to wear neat, natural afros, short non-shaved hair for boys, and braids, twists, or locks made with their own hair for girls, without artificial additions. They argue that the current rules send a contradictory message about self-acceptance and question the number of class days lost due to these exclusions. The petition concludes with a plea for students to be allowed to study "with their heads held high."
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation announced its plan to establish a presence in Gabon by December 2026. This announcement was made by Charles Oula Siehe, Special Advisor for Africa to the Foundation, following a meeting with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Paris on July 22. President Nguema, who was on a state visit, gave his agreement in principle for the initiative. The Foundation's installation aims to support Gabon's environmental preservation and sustainable development policies, aligning with the country's environmental ambitions. It is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Libreville and the Principality of Monaco and support projects that improve the living conditions of the population. Established in 2006 by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the non-profit organization focuses on biodiversity, climate change, ocean protection, and sustainable water resource management, primarily in the Mediterranean basin, polar regions, and least developed countries. This move is part of its strategy to assist states with significant natural capital facing conservation and sustainable development challenges.