Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema arrived in France on Monday for a three-day state visit, marking his second official trip since assuming office.

The visit aims to deepen cooperation between Libreville and Paris across key sectors including investments, infrastructure, energy transition, industrialization, culture, and economic exchanges.

Accompanied by a high-level delegation comprising business leaders, political officials, and journalists, the Gabonese head of state will hold talks with his French counterpart, Emmanuel Macron.

A central agenda item will be the local processing of manganese, a mineral Gabon ranks among the world’s top producers. Libreville plans to halt raw ore exports by 2029 to foster domestic industrial growth and maximize value addition.

Defense cooperation will also feature prominently, with discussions expected on renewing military partnerships and the future of Camp De Gaulle, France’s military base in Libreville. France has significantly downsized its military presence in Gabon, reducing troop numbers from around 1,200 to roughly 100 as part of a broader reorganization of its African footprint.