
Vaalco Energy, the American oil group, announced a net loss of 93.8 million dollars in the first quarter of 2026. Despite this financial setback, the company highlighted its performance in Gabon, where two new wells have begun production in the offshore Etame field. CEO George Maxwell stated that these results strengthen the group's production growth outlook for the remainder of the year. Vaalco Energy confirmed the successful start-up of two new offshore development wells in Gabon as part of the third phase of its drilling program on the Etame permit. The Etame 15H well, which began production in February 2026, has an initial flow rate of 2,000 gross barrels per day, while the Etame 14H well, which started in April, produces approximately 4,850 gross barrels daily. The company noted that the Etame 14H well encountered 325 meters of net pay in high-quality Gamba sands. Following this, the drilling campaign continued with the launch of the EEBOM-5H well on the Ebouri platform, also offshore Gabon. Additional drilling and maintenance operations are planned to increase the field's production and reserves. George Maxwell described the Gabonese drilling campaign as a "positive start," with the performance of the ET-15H and ET-14H wells contributing to a slight increase in production in the first quarter of 2026, with a more significant impact expected in the second quarter. He anticipates two optimized cargoes from Gabon in the second quarter, in a more favorable price environment
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Must ReadOlam Palm Gabon is considering closing its Makouk茅 site due to extensive destruction of its palm plantations by elephants. Approximately 5,000 hectares of palm groves have been destroyed in Makouk茅, leading to a significant reduction in the company's activities and raising concerns about job losses and economic hardship in the Moyen-Ogoou茅 region. The local deputy, Rolf Mavitsi Nziengui, highlighted the alarming unemployment situation and urged discussions with Olam to prevent a complete cessation of operations. Similar destruction, reportedly affecting 10,000 hectares, has also occurred in the Ngouni茅 province. Olam has begun installing electric fences to deter elephants. The Minister of Agriculture, Pac么me Kossy, acknowledged the severity of the issue, emphasizing the need for solutions that protect agricultural operations without compromising the elephant's protected status in Gabon. The increased elephant population, a result of protection policies, is contributing to human-wildlife conflict, impacting both small and large agricultural producers. The future of the Makouk茅 site remains uncertain, and its closure would have severe economic and social consequences for the region.

Gabon's National Civil Aviation Agency ANAC initiated a technical assistance mission on June 22, 2026, in Libreville, to identify weaknesses and define corrective measures within its national air safety system. This strategic exercise aims to enhance the country's performance and credibility in the aeronautical sector ahead of the upcoming International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO audit. The mission, requested by Gabon from ICAO's West and Central African WACAF Regional Office, was officially opened by ANAC Director General, Major General 脡ric Tristan Franck Moussavou. It serves as a major preparatory step before the ICAO USOAP-CMA audit, which evaluates the effectiveness of national air safety oversight systems. Gabon's previous evaluation was in 2019. Over several weeks, ICAO experts will examine key pillars of Gabon's system, including the legislative framework, civil aviation authority organization, aircraft technical operations, airworthiness, licensing, air navigation services, aerodrome management, accident investigations, and the national safety program. Certification activities, surveillance, and safety issue resolution will also be analyzed. Moussavou emphasized the need for transparency and sincerity in this evaluation, stating its purpose is to establish an objective diagnosis to identify shortcomings and define necessary corrective measures. He noted the support of state authorities, including President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and urged collaboration w
Must ReadGabon's High Council for Investment HCI submitted its general report to the government on June 22, 2026, outlining priorities for an ambitious reform of the business environment. The report, presented to Vice President of the Government Hermann Immongault by Minister Delegate for the Budget Marc Abeghe and President of the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises FEG Alain-Claude Kouakoua, contains recommendations from state and private sector representatives. These recommendations, covering taxation, public procurement, governance, and logistics, aim to create a more attractive framework for investors and enable the private sector to finance two-thirds of the National Growth and Development Plan PNCD. The report, resulting from consultations that began on June 4 in Libreville, is intended to guide future legislative and regulatory texts. The goal is to quickly implement these proposals into concrete reforms to strengthen Gabon's economic appeal. This initiative seeks to enable the private sector to contribute nearly 18 trillion CFA francs, approximately two-thirds of the 26 trillion CFA francs required for the PNCD. Key recommendations from working groups, involving over 1,100 participants, include accelerating the promulgation of the new Investment Code, establishing mixed control brigades to reduce administrative burdens, and ensuring continuous operation of port and airport corridors. Discussions also highlighted the need for stronger public governance, proposing recruitment of