Gabonese President Oligui Nguema discusses economic future, international relations, and social issues in France 24 interview
via Gabon Review4 min read
Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema recently gave an exclusive interview to France 24, broadcast on May 2, 2026, one year after his election. He discussed a busy international agenda, major economic deadlines, and addressed several pending issues. President Nguema announced the delivery of several thermal power plants by July 2027, acknowledging public concerns about water and electricity, and emphasized his seven-year mandate. He confirmed an upcoming state visit to France on July 20, stating that relations with Paris are strong. Regarding Eramet, an agreement was reached for local manganese processing, with President Nguema setting a firm deadline: "If nothing is transformed in 2029, the manganese will not leave." He also confirmed a program with the International Monetary Fund for late 2026, delayed by an audit of inherited debt. President Nguema rejected the 2.6% growth forecast by the AfDB, asserting the health of the Gabonese economy. He highlighted economic sovereignty through actions like the repurchase of Assala and the future ban on raw manganese exports, aiming to diversify partners. The President stated he refused a request from the Trump administration to host migrants expelled from the United States. He also announced that social media, suspended since February, would be reopened after Parliament votes on a legislative framework to regulate online abuses, with fines for defamation. Addressing sensitive issues, President Nguema confirmed a diplomatic
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Must ReadGabon's government is reactivating the High Investment Council HCI to strengthen its partnership with the private sector and achieve the ambitious 27 trillion FCFA investment target set by the National Growth and Development Plan PNCD 2026-2030. The HCI's work is scheduled to begin on Thursday, June 4, in Libreville. This initiative follows a recent meeting between the executive and the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises FEG to establish a new dynamic for public-private collaboration. The government aims for the private sector to contribute 18 trillion FCFA, or two-thirds, of the total investment required for the PNCD. The relaunch of the HCI, under the instructions of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, seeks to address private sector concerns such as administrative controls, legal insecurity, procedural delays, and high logistical costs. Eight joint working groups, comprising public administration and private sector representatives, will examine key themes from June 4 to June 11, including parafiscality, cost of living, legal security, public establishment governance, public procurement, social reforms, strategic sectors, and support for SMEs. The conclusions will be consolidated on June 12 and 13, with a general presentation on June 15 for the formal adoption of selected reforms. The government hopes this move will build trust and attract the private capital necessary for the PNCD's success and Gabon's development ambitions.
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Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema met with African banking sector officials and a Chinese construction company on June 2, 2026, to advance national development. The discussions focused on financing social housing, developing agricultural sectors, and revitalizing major road infrastructure projects. President Oligui Nguema received Idrissa Nassa, Chairman and CEO of Coris-Bank, along with a delegation of Burkinabe investors. They discussed the national housing construction program, a key commitment to improving living conditions for Gabonese citizens. The President emphasized cooperation between the state, financial institutions, and economic operators, and encouraged Coris-Bank to expand its network within the country to promote financial inclusion. The Burkinabe delegation, including Roland Sow, Saïdou Tiendrebeogo, and Achille Ouedraogo, expressed their commitment to investing in Gabon, with Coris-Bank announcing the upcoming construction of its headquarters in Libreville. President Oligui Nguema also met with Zhu Junbo, General Manager of China Overseas Engineering Group COVEC, to discuss the resumption of road construction in the Nyanga and Estuaire provinces, specifically on the Ndendé-Tchibanga, Tchibanga-Mayumba, and Sibang-Bambouchine routes. The Chinese official assured the President of the imminent resumption of these projects. These meetings underscore President Oligui Nguema's commitment to strengthening South-South partnerships and attracting investo
Must ReadFormer President Ali Bongo Ondimba has broken his silence, responding to statements made by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema on France 24. Through his spokesperson Ali Akbar Onanga Y’Obègue, Ali Bongo strongly disputes Oligui Nguema's assertion that there is "no problem" between them and challenges the minimization of his role in governing Gabon after his 2018 stroke. While President Oligui Nguema stated that Ali Bongo is free to return to Gabon and was invited to an inauguration, Ali Bongo rejected this overture. He countered Oligui Nguema's claim of no dispute, stating, "That is false, and he knows it." Ali Bongo cited accusations of torture against his wife, Sylvia Bongo Ondimba, and son, Noureddin Bongo Valentin, following the August 30, 2023 coup d'état. He claims to have provided evidence to French authorities and United Nations bodies and demands an independent investigation. Ali Bongo also directly addressed Oligui Nguema's suggestion that he was not truly in charge during the last five years of his presidency, arguing that Oligui Nguema's own strategic position as head of the Republican Guard during that period contradicts the narrative of an absent leader. He questioned who appointed Oligui Nguema to that role, implying that the current president's responsibilities under his administration undermine the claim that Ali Bongo lacked authority. The former president finds it inconsistent to be portrayed as a leader without authority while simultaneously validating