The luxury giant LVMH, helmed by Bernard Arnault, is finalising a preliminary memorandum of understanding with Gabon’s Agency for Green Economy Development (Agadev). The exploratory talks, reportedly taking place in Paris, centre on supplying the French conglomerate with non-timber forest products sourced from Gabon’s rainforest. The signing is expected around a month before an official visit, according to sources familiar with the discussions.
Moabi and odika: strategic resources from Gabon’s forests
At the heart of the initiative are two emblematic species from the Congo Basin. The moabi, a towering tree that can reach sixty metres in height, yields an oil prized for its cosmetic and nutritional qualities. The odika, often called wild chocolate or wild mango, produces an aromatic kernel widely used in Central African cuisine and increasingly sought after by perfume laboratories. Once confined to village economies, these non-timber forest products are now gaining status as premium ingredients for European luxury houses.
LVMH’s interest in these resources reflects a broader industry trend. Major cosmetic and perfume brands are forging partnerships with countries rich in tropical biodiversity, seeking distinctive ingredients and compelling origin stories. Moabi and odika offer the dual advantage of botanical rarity and strong geographical identity — qualities that are highly valued in crafting high-end collections.
Agadev: Gabon’s tool for economic diversification
Created to steer the transition away from reliance on hydrocarbons, Agadev embodies Gabon’s strategy to valorise its natural capital. The country, still nearly 88% forested, aims to turn this endowment into a sustainable revenue stream. Structuring value chains for non-timber forest products is one of the priority axes identified by the transitional authorities.
For Libreville, securing a protocol with a group of LVMH’s stature would send a powerful political signal. The conglomerate, with an annual turnover exceeding €80 billion and housing brands like Dior, Guerlain and Louis Vuitton, has the absorption capacity to uplift an entire sector. Gabon’s challenge is to avoid the trap of raw exports by capturing maximum local value addition.
Economic diplomacy meets traceability demands
The diplomatic calendar favours the deal. The prospect of an imminent official visit provides a solemn framework for the signing and allows Gabonese authorities to frame this partnership as part of a renewed engagement with major French economic players. The next step is turning intent into lasting commercial flows, which requires robust guarantees on traceability, respect for forest communities and compliance with European environmental standards.
The European Union’s new deforestation regulation, which mandates enhanced due diligence for products from tropical forests, is changing the landscape. Groups like LVMH must now document the origin of every ingredient, from tree to bottle. Gabon, which has invested in satellite mapping of its forest cover and claims a net positive carbon balance, has credible arguments to meet this requirement. Still, the moabi and odika supply chains need to be organised accordingly, with village cooperatives capable of guaranteeing quality and consistent volumes.
Beyond symbolism, the anticipated agreement could serve as a model for other tie-ups between luxury giants and African forest states. Competition for rare ingredients is intensifying, and the Congo Basin holds a pharmacopoeia that remains largely untapped at industrial scale. The protocol is expected to be signed in the coming weeks.
