Gabon's military coup in August 2023, which ended the 56-year rule of the Bongo family dynasty, created initial uncertainty about continuity of the country's extractive export economy. The transition government led by General Brice Oligui Nguema has maintained economic relationships with mining and forestry concession holders, and major exporting companies including COMILOG (Eramet manganese), Perenco (oil), and the major timber operators have continued production. Gabon remains one of sub-Saharan Africa's highest-income countries at approximately $8,000 GDP per capita, driven by oil (though in production decline), manganese, and timber exports.
Economic Diversification Imperative
Oil production from mature fields has been declining. The transition government has identified tourism, agri-business, and the Libreville port expansion as diversification priorities. COMILOG's manganese export volumes from the Moanda mine remain strong, with battery-grade manganese processing investment planned for Port-Gentil. The Libreville port modernisation will add container terminal capacity. Businesses operating in Central Africa's Gulf of Guinea region can access Gabon market contacts on intra-africa.com.
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