France and Gabon have signed three strategic cooperation agreements during President Brice Oligui Nguema’s state visit to Paris, marking a significant step in strengthening bilateral relations and advancing Gabon’s industrialization agenda. President Emmanuel Macron welcomed Oligui Nguema to the Élysée Palace, where the two leaders held talks focused on expanding economic cooperation, security collaboration and investment between the long-standing partners. A key outcome of the meeting was the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between French mining company Eramet and the Gabonese government. Under the agreement, Eramet will work toward processing up to 700,000 tonnes of manganese ore annually in Gabon by the end of 2031, rather than exporting the mineral in its raw form.
According to the Gabonese presidency, the agreement is expected to increase value addition within the country, accelerate industrial development, create jobs and improve the competitiveness of Gabon’s economy by expanding local mineral processing. The manganese deal aligns with Gabon’s broader strategy to transform its natural resources domestically and reduce dependence on raw material exports. The government has already announced that, beginning January 2029, all manganese mined in Gabon must be processed locally before export. France has sought additional time to allow Eramet to develop the infrastructure needed to meet the new requirement. In addition to the mining agreement, both countries signed cooperation accords covering security, as well as the water and energy sectors, reflecting a broader effort to modernize Franco-Gabonese relations beyond their traditional economic ties.
The Gabonese presidency described the agreements as the beginning of a new phase of cooperation focused on delivering tangible economic and social benefits for citizens while strengthening long-term partnerships between the two nations. More agreements are expected to be concluded before the end of Oligui Nguema’s visit, particularly in the mining sector, as both governments continue negotiations over Gabon’s local processing requirements and future investment in industrial infrastructure. The visit comes as Gabon seeks to attract greater foreign investment while implementing policies designed to promote local manufacturing, diversify the economy and increase the value generated from its abundant natural resources.
