Gunvor's Geneva office raided in corruption probe over 2024 Gabon oil contract
via Gabon Review3 min read
The Geneva headquarters of commodity trader Gunvor was searched in May as part of an investigation into suspected corruption of foreign public officials. The probe centers on an oil contract signed with Gabon in 2024, which occurred amid the nationalization of strategic assets and significant financing provided to the Gabon Oil Company GOC. The investigation, revealed by NGO Public Eye and confirmed by the Public Prosecutor's Office of the Confederation MPC, focuses on the 2024 oil contract, which Public Eye described as "opaque." According to Public Eye, this contract is linked to a major financial operation that enabled the Gabonese state to regain control of strategic oil assets, including those of Assala Energy. To finance this acquisition, Gunvor reportedly granted GOC a loan of approximately one billion dollars. In return, Gunvor allegedly secured privileged, and according to some sources, exclusive access to the marketing of Gabonese crude oil. Sector observers have highlighted that certain clauses in the agreement appear particularly advantageous for the Swiss trader. Critics have raised concerns about the loan repayment terms, which mandate substantial monthly payments from Gabon over five years, with analysts suggesting these financial arrangements could heavily impact the country's oil revenues. Public Eye's investigation also claims to have identified a system of parallel payments intended to compensate intermediaries in Africa. These revelations reportedly prompt
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President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is actively pursuing initiatives to enhance access to decent housing for Gabonese citizens. On June 1, 2026, the President met with a delegation of real estate developers, led by the Minister of Housing, Mays Mouissi. This meeting focused on the construction of 1,600 social housing units at the Bikélé Nzong site in Estuaire province, a project financially supported by BGFI Bank Group. This program is designed to address the growing demand for housing and improve living conditions. While primarily for public sector employees, the program will also be accessible to private sector workers who meet eligibility criteria. This initiative is part of a broader strategy by President Oligui Nguema to make housing more accessible through controlled land costs, strengthened land security, and increased social housing availability nationwide. The President urged developers to prioritize construction quality, adherence to standards, and timely project completion. The first phase includes over 1,000 housing units in Estuaire, with plans for gradual expansion to all nine provinces. Authorities aim to double the national social housing supply, making the right to housing a reality for more Gabonese citizens.
Gabon's Qwan Ki Do team achieved significant international recognition by finishing as vice-champion at the 8th World Championship in Romania. The team, largely composed of members from the Gabonese military engineering corps, earned one silver medal and two bronze medals. This performance allowed the Gabonese flag to be raised and the national anthem, La Concorde, to be played during award ceremonies. Arnaud Lilian Billie, deputy coordinator of the national Qwan Ki Do team, stated that these results confirm Gabon's growing influence in martial arts. In addition to their world vice-champion title, the Gabonese delegation also secured the African champion title. Me Guy Florent Evouna, the Qwan Ki Do representative in Gabon, thanked partners and institutional support for enabling the team's participation. Following a technical meeting with the discipline's founding grand master, Gabon was chosen to host the next African Championship. This continental event is scheduled for April 2027 in Libreville, where it will bring together top African teams and further establish Gabon's leadership in Qwan Ki Do on the continent.
In Libreville on May 29, Gabon's Minister of Interior, Adrien Nguema Mba, met with Cameroon's High Commissioner to Gabon, Edith Félicie Noëlle Ondoua Ateba. The meeting focused on strengthening bilateral relations, particularly concerning consular issues and the management of the Cameroonian community residing in Gabon. Discussions highlighted the need to improve mechanisms for supporting Cameroonian nationals. The Cameroonian diplomat stated that they discussed perfecting collaboration between the Ministry of Interior and the Cameroonian High Commission regarding the supervision and monitoring of Cameroonians living in Gabon. The exchange aimed at better administrative and social support for the Cameroonian diaspora in Gabon, especially given sustained regional mobility. Both parties agreed to structure their exchanges through regular communication channels to ensure rigorous monitoring of Cameroonian nationals while respecting Gabonese legislation. This initiative seeks to streamline interactions between consular services and Gabonese authorities to reduce administrative friction and enhance the effectiveness of joint migration efforts. The audience also reaffirmed the deep historical and human ties between the two nations. The High Commissioner emphasized that Cameroon and Gabon are not just friendly countries but brotherly nations. The stability of Cameroonian expatriate communities in Gabon and the strengthening of relations between Libreville and Yaoundé were key object
Must ReadAgents from the Directorate General of Competition, Consumer Affairs, and Fraud Control DGCCRF in Libreville have dismantled a clandestine network involved in reconditioning and reselling expired food products, including infant milk. The operation, conducted in the Baraka district following a citizen report, led to the seizure of thousands of products intended for illegal resale. The seized items included Nursie 1 and Nursie 2 infant milk, which were significantly past their expiration dates. According to Elise Emmanuelle Ntsame Obame, Director General of the DGCCRF, the products were initially meant for destruction but were recovered by an individual who reconditioned them and distributed them across the country. The presence of expired infant milk posed significant health risks, especially to vulnerable consumers. Thousands of milk cartons and other food items were removed from the illegal circuit. An investigation has been launched to identify all individuals involved, determine the origin of the recovered products, distribution channels, and any accomplices. The DGCCRF urges consumers, particularly parents, to be vigilant when purchasing food products for children and to report any anomalies on packaging or expiration dates.