Gabon's President Oligui Nguema demands immediate implementation of pan-African trade vision
via Gabon Review3 min read
Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has elevated intra-African trade to a strategic priority, demanding rapid and measurable results from his government. During a Council of Ministers meeting on June 25, President Nguema instructed the government to immediately implement policies strengthening trade with other African countries, particularly in the food sector. He emphasized that favoring imports from African nations, especially food products, actively contributes to the continent's economic integration and shared prosperity among sister states. The President stressed that this directive is not a diplomatic stance but a firm instruction requiring immediate and resolute action. This aligns with his consistent pan-African vision since taking power, advocating for a more economically integrated Africa capable of local value creation and regional supply chains. The initiative supports the African Continental Free Trade Area AfCFTA goals to boost intra-African trade. President Nguema's focus on food imports aims to shift supply chains from European or Asian markets towards African countries, strengthening continental trade and partner economies. Ministerial departments are expected to adapt procurement policies, trade facilitation measures, and regulatory frameworks to prioritize African products. The presidential message underscores an obligation for the government to deliver concrete results, with the effective implementation of this directive serving as a key indicat
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On June 25, deputies at Gabon's National Assembly, meeting in plenary session at the L茅on-Mba Palace, unanimously adopted two new bills. The session was presided over by the second vice-president of the National Assembly, Jeannot Kalima, in the absence of the institution's president, Michel R茅gis Onanga M. Ndiaye, and attended by several relevant government members, including the Minister of National Defense, Brigitte Onkanowa, the Minister of Health, Pr Elsa Nkana Jos茅phine Ayo-Bivigou, and the Minister of Reform and Relations with Institutions, Fran莽ois Ndong Obiang. The first bill establishes a national workshop for manufacturing uniforms for the Defense and Security Forces. This new state entity aims to provide the country with a national production tool for military and security equipment, reducing reliance on external suppliers and ensuring better quality control and availability. The second bill introduces new measures to combat tobacco, nicotine, and related products in Gabon, strengthening public health prevention efforts and addressing the growing threat of new nicotine products. The unanimous adoption of both texts highlights a broad consensus on these essential reforms for national sovereignty and public health.
Gabon's Vice President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, represented President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema at Madagascar's 66th independence anniversary celebrations in Antananarivo on June 26. This mission underscores Gabon's commitment to reinforcing its relationship with Madagascar, following a recent official visit by the Malagasy President to Libreville. Immongault's presence, alongside other heads of state and African dignitaries at the Mahamasina stadium for the military parade, aligns with Gabon's diplomatic strategy of continental re-engagement and sovereign affirmation. This visit builds on discussions held during Malagasy transitional President Micha毛l Randrianirina's working visit to Libreville on June 5-6, which focused on investment prospects, structural reforms, and sovereignty issues in Africa. Gabon's high-level participation, under the theme "Reform for Development," signals a clear geopolitical ambition to solidify the Libreville-Antananarivo bilateral axis. By sending Immongault, Gabon emphasizes the importance of developing relations with Indian Ocean nations, aiming for closer South-South cooperation with political and economic benefits for both states. This diplomatic exchange confirms Gabon and Madagascar's intent to forge a lasting partnership based on political dialogue, shared experiences, and enhanced development opportunities.
Owendo Container Terminal OCT has acquired three new Rubber Tyred Gantry RTG cranes, arriving from Vietnam on May 28, 2026. These latest-generation Konecranes gantry cranes will modernize the Owendo terminal by improving container handling and storage. The addition of these cranes increases OCT's total number of RTG cranes from nine to twelve, aiming to boost capacity, optimize space utilization, and reduce processing times and waiting periods. Sandrine Wamy, OCT's general director, stated that this investment marks a significant step in the terminal's modernization, enhancing its ability to process volumes and improve service quality for clients. This strategic investment reinforces OCT's role in Gabon's logistics chain and its contribution to the country's port infrastructure development. OCT, the operator of the container terminal at the Port of Owendo, employs over 300 Gabonese citizens and supports nearly a thousand indirect jobs through subcontracting. The company also engages in community initiatives in education and environment.