Gabon’s president Brice Oligui Nguema’s state visit to France sets new economic and defense agenda

This Monday marks the beginning of a three-day state visit to France by Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. This is his second official trip to the European nation since assuming leadership, reflecting strong diplomatic ties and strategic collaboration between the two countries.

The primary purpose of the visit is to deepen bilateral cooperation across key sectors. Discussions will focus on strengthening economic partnerships, infrastructure development, energy transition initiatives, and cultural exchanges. A high-level delegation, including business leaders, government officials, and media representatives, will accompany the President throughout the visit.

The agenda includes critical economic and industrial discussions, particularly regarding Gabon’s role as a major global producer of manganese. President Oligui Nguema is expected to engage with French counterparts on accelerating local processing of the mineral, aiming to end raw ore exports by 2029. This move aligns with Libreville’s strategy to enhance domestic industrial capacity and maximize value creation within the country’s mining sector.

Defense cooperation will also take center stage during the meetings. Both nations are set to review their military partnership, with particular attention on the future of the De Gaulle base in Libreville. As part of France’s broader restructuring of its military presence in Africa, Gabon has seen a significant reduction in French troops—from approximately 1,200 soldiers to just over 100 today. The discussions will explore ways to adapt the partnership to current security and strategic needs.

The visit underscores Gabon’s commitment to diversifying its international alliances while reinforcing long-standing ties with France. With a focus on sustainable development and technological advancement, this state visit is poised to shape the future of Gabon-France relations in the coming years.