Gabon bets on mining boom to diversify economy amid oil decline

Facing a steady decline in its oil output, Gabon is now banking on a mining revival to revive its economy. Over recent months, the government has rolled out a series of investment plans, while exploration operations are underway across multiple provinces to unlock the country’s mineral wealth.

Eight new mines planned by 2030 to boost mineral output

Seven months into his tenure at the helm of the Ministry of Mines, Sosthène Nguema Nguema reports a clear uptick in mining activity. His team has outlined plans to launch around eight new mines between 2026 and 2030, primarily targeting iron ore, but also gold and potash.

The government sees these projects as a golden opportunity to create thousands of jobs and ramp up the mining sector’s contribution to the economy. According to the minister, mining currently accounts for about 6% of Gabon’s GDP, but officials aim to push this figure to between 15% and 20% in the coming years.

Infrastructure upgrades essential to unlock mining potential

Economist Orphée Mouelé, who holds degrees from the Omar Bongo University, stresses that realising these ambitions will hinge on robust infrastructure upgrades. He points to the urgent need for enhanced road networks, upgraded rail lines, modernised ports, and reinforced bridges to facilitate the seamless transport of extracted minerals.

Energy supply remains another critical hurdle for the mining sector’s expansion. Adequate and reliable electricity will be vital not only for running mining operations but also for supporting downstream industries that process raw minerals.

Civil society calls for equitable benefits from mining boom

The Gabonese NGO Éthique et Bonne Gouvernance has welcomed the renewed focus on mining, while urging authorities to ensure that the sector’s windfalls translate into tangible improvements for local communities. Edmiaune Zouga, the NGO’s president, insists that mining revenues must directly uplift the living standards of Gaboese citizens and be distributed widely across society.