Libreville, July 16, 2026 — For decades, African nations have exported raw minerals to fuel global industries while leaving nearby communities grappling with crumbling infrastructure, weak public services and a deep sense of economic exclusion. The Gabonese government is now flipping this script by channeling a portion of its mining revenue directly into local development.

The shift comes through a revised agreement between the Gabonese state and Compagnie Minière de l’Ogooué—the world’s leading producer of high-grade manganese and a subsidiary of the French group Eramet. Under this deal, 20% of the proportional mining royalty is now allocated to the Local Communities Development Fund. An additional share from the extraction tax on quarries operated by the company further boosts the fund, which targets areas directly involved in mining activities.

This initiative marks a fundamental shift in Gabon’s mining policy. The focus is no longer solely on tax revenue or export volumes but on transforming natural resources into tools for territorial cohesion and human development.

Breaking free from the resource curse

This dilemma has haunted African economies for generations: why do mineral-rich regions often remain among the poorest on the continent? Gabon, the world’s second-largest manganese producer, is no exception. Mining zones have long borne the brunt of environmental and social costs without seeing tangible returns from the wealth extracted beneath their soil.

The overhaul of the Mining Code in 2019, later reinforced by a 2020 addendum with Comilog, signals a decisive break. For the first time, a share of mining revenue is automatically directed to affected communities, bypassing traditional national budget negotiations. This model aligns Gabon with approaches seen in countries like Botswana and Canada, where social acceptance of mining hinges on fairer profit-sharing.

Shared governance in action

The system is built on a tripartite governance structure involving the state, local authorities and the mining operator. The Partnership Management Committee sets strategic priorities, while the Operational Management Committee oversees technical execution and project implementation. This structure ensures investments are not dictated solely from distant capitals but reflect on-the-ground realities.

Funds flow into public infrastructure, healthcare facilities, schools, water access, local economic initiatives and job creation. Early results are already visible. Comilog reports that by 2025, 26 community projects had been completed across mining regions, representing an investment of nearly 8.5 billion CFA francs and benefiting around 240,000 people—about 8% of Gabon’s total population.

Pioneering a new African mining contract

The stakes extend far beyond Gabon’s borders. Global demand for strategic minerals is surging, driven by the energy transition, electric vehicle expansion and digitalization. Manganese has become a cornerstone for battery production and next-generation industrial technologies. Central Africa holds a significant share of the world’s reserves for these critical minerals.

The real challenge today is not how much ore Africa exports, but what portion of that wealth stays to finance education, health, infrastructure and economic diversification. Comilog has pledged to support this transition by fostering local entrepreneurship, vocational training and income-generating activities to reduce communities’ dependence on extraction alone.

If sustained, this vision could position Gabon as a model for a new social contract between mining companies, governments and populations. In the 21st century, a mine’s true value is measured not just in tons exported or dividends paid, but in schools built, businesses launched, sustainable jobs created and opportunities offered to future generations. It is on this foundation that Africa’s mining giants will build their legitimacy.