The upcoming meeting in Paris between Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and his French counterpart will focus on critical economic and strategic priorities for both nations. Scheduled for July 20, 2026, this visit follows agreements reached in Libreville during the French president’s November 2025 tour of Central Africa.
Local processing of manganese takes center stage
Gabon’s push for local value addition in its manganese sector has become a defining issue ahead of the talks. The government has set a January 2029 deadline: all extracted ore must undergo initial processing within the country before export. Comilog, a subsidiary of France’s Eramet Group, currently dominates the sector, and Libreville is pressing for faster industrialization.
While France supports the principle of local transformation, officials are negotiating a more flexible timeline. The proposed schedule is deemed too aggressive given the scale of investments required, particularly in energy and industrial infrastructure. “This visit will directly address the matter,” stressed a senior advisor close to President Oligui Nguema.
Military cooperation and infrastructure disputes
The Camp de Gaulle, a former French military base in Libreville, is another flashpoint. Gabon is seeking full ownership of the site and plans to rename it, signaling a shift in defense cooperation. Moving forward, military ties are expected to focus exclusively on training programs. This stance reflects Libreville’s broader strategy to diversify foreign partnerships, with growing ties to China, Turkey, and India.
Meanwhile, water supply agreements signed a year ago with the French firm Suez remain stalled. Some 120 billion CFA francs worth of commitments have yet to be fulfilled, prompting calls from Paris for compliance.
Gabon’s debt crisis looms large
Debt levels, now exceeding 70% of GDP, are a growing concern. An ongoing national audit is expected to conclude this month, while Gabon pursues a new program with the International Monetary Fund (IMF). However, as of late June, key documents had not yet been submitted, delaying progress.
France, as chair of the Paris Club, is advocating for a negotiated financial solution to stabilize Gabon’s debt. The situation carries regional implications, with risks to the CFA franc’s stability and broader economic equilibrium in Central Africa.
