Gabon president arrives in France for state visit

Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has begun a three-day state visit to France, marking his second official trip abroad since assuming office.

The visit aims to reinforce strategic partnerships between Libreville and Paris across key sectors including investments, infrastructure, energy transition, industrialization, culture, and economic exchanges.

Accompanied by a delegation comprising business leaders, political officials, and journalists, the Gabonese head of state is scheduled to meet with French President Emmanuel Macron.

Central to the discussions will be the local processing of manganese, one of the world’s largest producers of the mineral. Gabon plans to halt raw ore exports by 2029 to develop a domestic processing industry and maximize value addition.

Defense cooperation will also feature prominently, with both leaders expected to address the renewal of their military partnership and the future of Camp De Gaulle, France’s military base in Libreville. As part of France’s broader military reconfiguration in Africa, its troop presence in Gabon has been significantly reduced from approximately 1,200 soldiers to fewer than 100 today.