Gabon’s bold shift toward mining-led economic growth

Facing a sharp decline in oil revenues, Gabon is charting a new course by prioritizing mining as the cornerstone of its economic future. Recent months have seen a flurry of announcements, with financial commitments totaling hundreds of millions of dollars to revitalize the sector. Exploration and development activities are now underway across multiple provinces, positioning the country to emerge as a global mining powerhouse by 2030.

Minister outlines ambitious mining expansion plan

Seven months into his tenure as Gabon’s Minister of Mines, Sosthène Nguema Nguema is spearheading a transformative vision for the country’s mineral sector. Speaking from Libreville, he highlighted the government’s strategic roadmap: «We have identified and programmed the opening of several mines between 2026 and 2030. Within this timeframe, approximately eight mines are set to become operational. These include Milingui for iron, the potash mine, Etéké for gold, Baniaka for iron, Mébaga for iron, and M’Bilan for iron.»

The minister emphasized the employment opportunities these projects will generate while projecting robust sector growth. «Today we stand at 6% growth, and we are targeting a significant increase in the coming months and years to reach 15-20%», he stated.

Critical infrastructure investments needed

Economist Orphée Mouelé, a graduate of the Omar Bongo University, underscored the vital role of infrastructure development in realizing the mining sector’s potential. «Technical success depends on essential factors: building transport infrastructure—roads, railways, ports, and bridges—to efficiently move minerals. Additionally, strengthening energy production capabilities is fundamental», he explained.

The NGO Ethics and Good Governance welcomed the economic prospects of the mining sector but stressed the importance of tangible social impact. Dr. Edmiaune Zouga, its president, articulated the need for local communities to directly benefit: «What matters most to us is social impact. These developments must uplift the average citizen. Gabonese people should feel this economic transformation in their daily lives», she asserted.

Parallel to its aggressive mining expansion, the government is implementing local processing initiatives for raw materials to create additional wealth and employment opportunities within Gabon.