LIBREVILLE, Gabon has moved to accelerate the transformation of its mining sector, signing a new geoscience collaboration agreement with South Africa that officials say could reshape the country’s economic future and strengthen African-led industrial cooperation.
The agreement, signed in Cape Town between Gabon’s Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources and the Council for Geoscience, signals a shift in Gabon’s long-term development strategy: reducing reliance on oil by unlocking the commercial value of its largely under-explored mineral wealth.
The pact was formalized by Alain Manzanza, Director General of Geology at the ministry, and Mosa Mabuza, CEO of the Council for Geoscience, in the presence of Mines Minister Sosthene Nguema Nguema and Gabon’s ambassador to South Africa. Officials describe the deal as both technical and strategic foundation for stronger economic ties between Libreville and Pretoria.
In decades, Gabon’s economy has been anchored by petroleum exports, a strategic economic pivot. So far, below its dense rainforests and remote interior lies significant deposits of iron ore, manganese, gold and other strategic minerals increasingly sought after in global markets.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has publicly pledged to increase the mining sector’s contribution to national GDP, framing mineral development as central to job creation and long-term fiscal stability. The new geoscience agreement is one of the clearest policy steps toward that goal.
At its core, the partnership aims to modernize Gabon’s geological database. Joint teams will review legacy data, digitize records, conduct updated surveys and produce new resource maps. Specialists say this type of foundational work, which is often overlooked is critical. Without reliable geological data, governments struggle to negotiate fair contracts, attract reputable investors, or plan infrastructure effectively.
By improving transparency around its mineral reserves, Gabon hopes to reduce investor uncertainty, strengthen regulatory oversight and limit the governance risks that have historically plagued extractive industries across parts of Africa. While mineral exports may drive headlines, officials emphasize that the agreement’s most immediate impact could be human.
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