On May 20, 2026, at the Palais Rénovation in Libreville, a landmark investment agreement was signed between the CEO of Ciments de l’Afrique (CIMAF), Anas Sefrioui, and the President of Gabon’s Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. The €40 million deal aims to modernize the Owendo cement plant by adding a third production line, addressing the country’s soaring demand for construction materials driven by major infrastructure projects.
The agreement goes beyond industrial upgrades, signaling a shift in the company’s governance. The Gabonese government will increase its stake in the local subsidiary to 20%, building on a 10% participation secured in December 2025. This move aligns with Libreville’s broader economic strategy, launched in August 2023, which seeks to convert large foreign investments into joint ventures with national oversight.
For CIMAF, this partnership marks a pivotal moment in its strategic realignment. The Moroccan group, led by Anas Sefrioui, is progressively exiting Europe, as evidenced by the simultaneous announcement of its final cement plant sale in France. Facing a saturated and highly competitive European market, CIMAF is redirecting its investments toward Africa, where rapid urbanization and infrastructure gaps—from roads and bridges to housing—create vast opportunities.
The deal also reflects Morocco’s evolving economic footprint in Central Africa. While Moroccan firms have long dominated West Africa, major private players are now expanding into industrial sectors in Central Africa. For Gabon, traditionally reliant on oil revenues, this public-private collaboration serves as a test case for industrial diversification, merging Moroccan private capital, Gabonese public oversight, and regional economic integration.