The state visit of President Oligui Nguema to France has marked a significant shift in the relations between the two countries, with both sides committing to build a new partnership.
This historic meeting has brought about a renewed focus on economic cooperation, with President Oligui emphasizing his commitment to breaking free from past practices of exploiting Gabon’s resources without generating substantial benefits for the country.
One key aspect of this new partnership is the transformation of local industries, such as manganese, through partnerships like that with French company Eramet, which has pledged to invest in increasing its capacity to transform the mineral.
The Gabonese government is also making progress on modernizing infrastructure projects, including the Transgabon railway, which is set to receive funding from Proparco.
Furthermore, the two countries have agreed to diversify their partnerships beyond France, with President Oligui indicating that Gabon aims to open up to other nations, such as China, Turkey, and India.
This visit has sent a clear message that both countries are committed to changing their approach to cooperation, with a focus on creating a more balanced partnership that benefits both sides.
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