AGP Executive Report

Energy: BW Energy secured $208 million in lease financing for the Bourdon field platform and extended its $250 million credit facility. First oil is targeted for early 2028. Separately, Aurion Capital’s proposed 150–450MW power programme in Greater Libreville could attract more than $1 billion, with no government funding commitment, the company says. Ports and Trade: A.P. Moller Capital agreed to buy Portek International, which operates port terminals in Gabon and five other countries. Social Policy: A new national social welfare manual has sparked debate over its potential impact on vulnerable families. Digital Reform: Officials met with the Gabon Digital team on land digitisation, a reform that has faced delays and public debate. Resources: Indonesia is exploring a rare-earth minerals partnership with Gabon. Oil Output: Gabon’s OPEC crude production fell by 11,000 barrels a day in September to 207,000.

Social Protection: New social-care rules have sparked debate in Gabon over their potential effects on vulnerable families and poverty. Critical Minerals: Indonesia says it is exploring a rare-earth partnership with Gabon, though talks are still at an early stage. Mining: France could become Eramet’s largest shareholder through a planned $558.5 million fundraising; the company operates Gabon’s major manganese business, Comilog. Energy: Gabon, SEEG and Aurion Capital have signed an MoU for a gas-fired power programme of 150 to 450 megawatts near Libreville, with total financing expected to exceed $1 billion. Oil and Gas: BW Energy secured $208 million in lease financing for a platform at the offshore Bourdon field, where first oil is targeted for 2028. Digital Infrastructure: Airtel Gabon and ZTE have deployed new network technology to increase capacity and prepare for 5G. Basketball: Gabon qualified unbeaten for the 2027 AfroCan after defeating Cameroon and Congo in regional qualifiers. Football: Gabon international Mario Lemina struck a friendlier tone toward Barcelona’s Lamine Yamal after their Champions League match, congratulating the teenager and posing with him.

Energy: BW Energy secured $208 million in financing for its Bourdon field platform offshore Gabon, with first oil targeted for early 2028. Separately, Gabon and SEEG signed an agreement with Aurion Capital for a gas-to-power programme of up to 450 MW, with expected financing above $1 billion and no state financial commitment. Digital Infrastructure: Airtel Gabon and ZTE deployed a system designed to boost network capacity and prepare for 5G. Business: Oil India says it has exited one Gabon asset as it shifts its overseas focus toward producing fields. Public Services: Gabon’s airport passenger-screening system is moving closer to launch, amid debate over its implications. Five older CEMAC coin series will lose legal-tender status on November 1, with exchanges available until October 2027. Sport: Gabon qualified undefeated for the 2027 FIBA AfroCan after beating Cameroon and Congo.

Oil and Power: BW Energy secured $208 million to finance a platform for Gabon’s offshore Bourdon field and extended its credit facility; first oil is targeted for early 2028. Separately, Aurion Capital and Gabon’s SEEG plan a gas-fired power programme of up to 450 MW, with financing expected to exceed $1 billion. Digital Networks: Airtel Gabon and ZTE deployed a system designed to boost network capacity and pave the way for 5G. Airport Security: Gabon is moving closer to launching its API-PNR passenger screening system at Libreville airport after a ministerial inspection. Sports: Gabon qualified for the 2027 AfroCan after beating Cameroon in the qualifiers. Payments and Currency: A bill to update digital payment rules aims to improve financial inclusion and link Gabon’s systems with regional networks. Five older CFA franc coin series will stop being legal tender on November 1, with exchanges allowed until October 2027. Oil Production: Gabon’s OPEC output fell by 11,000 barrels per day in September to 207,000.

Airport Security: Gabon is moving closer to launching its API-PNR passenger-screening system at Libreville airport after a ministerial inspection. The rollout has also prompted questions about its safeguards and how the system will work. Digital Payments: Cabinet has approved a bill to update payment rules, regulate providers and link Gabon’s systems with regional and international networks. Currency: Five older CFA-franc coin series will cease to be legal tender across CEMAC on November 1. Holders can exchange them until October 31, 2027, with the process shifting to BEAC branches from August. Basketball: Gabon qualified undefeated for the 2027 FIBA AfroCan after beating Cameroon and Congo in Douala. Economy: Moody’s expects Gabon to have one of the region’s sharpest debt increases, even as it lifts its overall outlook for sub-Saharan Africa to positive. Diplomacy: Gabon reiterated its support at the UN for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara. Travel: Gabonese nationals are among those facing partial US visa restrictions, covering visitor, student, exchange and immigrant visas.

Basketball: Gabon booked a place at the 2027 AfroCan after beating Cameroon and the Republic of Congo to finish the qualifiers unbeaten. Digital Payments: The cabinet approved a bill to update payment rules, support regional and international interoperability, and encourage a gradual shift away from cash. Public Health: WHO says Gabon did not deliver mass treatment for river blindness in 2025, citing safety concerns linked to Loa loa co-infection. US Visas: Gabonese nationals are among those facing partial US visa restrictions, covering visitor, student and exchange visas, as well as immigrant visas. Economic Outlook: Moody’s lists Gabon among four sub-Saharan African countries with a negative outlook and expects its debt to rise sharply. Foreign Policy: Gabon reaffirmed its support at the UN for Morocco’s autonomy plan for Western Sahara.

AfroCan: Gabon booked a place at the 2027 tournament, beating Cameroon 83–80 before defeating Congo 86–58 to finish the qualifiers unbeaten. Debt Outlook: Moody’s expects Gabon to record one of the region’s sharpest debt increases, despite upgrading its overall outlook for sub-Saharan Africa to positive. Baniaka Project: Genmin’s iron ore mine in south-eastern Gabon has permits and key infrastructure arrangements, but construction still depends on securing funding; proposals remain unsigned. Fuel Supply: The government says stabilizing fuel prices cost 30 billion FCFA in September and is reviewing the mechanism, while seeking to restore supplies and strengthen reserves. CEMAC Currency: Older CFA franc coins lose legal-tender status across the region from November 1; holders will have a one-year exchange period, with practical arrangements still to come.

Basketball: Gabon booked a place at the 2027 AfroCan, beating Cameroon 83–80 before routing Congo 86–58 to finish the Zone 4 qualifiers unbeaten. Fuel Costs: The government says fuel-price support cost 30 billion CFA francs in September and has asked for ways to ease the burden. No pump-price increase has been announced, as authorities work to restore supplies. Currency: Old CFA franc coins from five series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Gabon, on November 1; a one-year exchange period is planned, with details still to come. Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 Ocea patrol vessels as part of a naval expansion aimed at securing its waters. Credit Outlook: Moody’s has kept Gabon among the four sub-Saharan African countries with a negative outlook, citing concerns including weak spending control.

Basketball: Gabon opened the 2027 AfroCan qualifiers with an 83–80 comeback win over hosts Cameroon, overturning an 11-point halftime deficit. Elysee Makambo scored 16 points and Hermann Boukousso led Gabon with 19. Fuel Costs: The government says fuel-price stabilization cost 30 billion FCFA in September and wants options to ease the burden. No immediate pump-price rise has been announced as officials work to restore supply. Regional Currency: Five older CFA coin series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Gabon, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though the details are still pending. Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 warships as part of a naval expansion intended to secure its waters. Credit Outlook: Moody’s gave Gabon a negative outlook, citing pressure from rising debt and challenges in controlling spending, despite a more positive regional outlook.

Basketball: Gabon opened its 2027 AfroCan qualifying campaign against Cameroon in Douala on October 10. The three-team Zone 4 contest also features Congo, with a place at the tournament in Rwanda at stake. Fuel Costs: The government says fuel-price stabilization cost CFA30 billion in September as supply problems persist. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has called for a review, but no pump-price increase has been announced. Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 patrol vessels from French shipbuilder Ocea to secure its waters, prompting debate over whether the naval expansion can meet the country’s needs. Regional Currency: Older CFA coins lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Gabon, on November 1. Holders will have a one-year exchange period, though the practical arrangements are not yet clear. Oil and Gas: VAALCO has completed offshore drilling in Gabon and is moving into the next phase of its Baobab campaign.

Energy: Exxon Mobil is leading a renewed global exploration push, with Gabon among the areas drawing attention as companies look to secure new reserves. VAALCO has completed a Gabon drilling campaign and is moving into the next phase of its Baobab programme. Fuel Costs: The government says fuel-price support cost 30 billion CFA francs in September and wants options to ease the burden. No immediate pump-price change was announced as authorities work to restore supplies. Money: Old CFA franc coins from five series will lose legal-tender status across CEMAC, including Gabon, on November 1. Holders will have a year to exchange them, though the locations and procedures are not yet clear. Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 patrol vessels from Ocea as it expands efforts to secure its waters. Regional Outlook: Moody’s has put Gabon among four sub-Saharan African countries with a negative outlook, citing concerns that include spending control and rising debt.

Fuel and Cost of Living: Gabon spent 30 billion FCFA stabilizing fuel prices in September as shortages persisted. President Oligui Nguema has asked officials to review the costly system, but no pump-price increase has been announced; supply is expected to recover gradually. Currency: From November 1, five older CFA franc coin series will no longer be legal tender across CEMAC, including Gabon. Holders will have a year to exchange them, though the locations and procedures are still to be set. Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 warships from Ocea to protect its waters, prompting questions about the fleet’s cost and ability to secure the country’s maritime zone. Separately, the sanctioned Russian vessel PATRIA made a brief call at Owendo before sailing to Douala; its cargo remains undisclosed. Oil and Credit: VAALCO has completed a Gabon drilling campaign and is moving to its next phase at Baobab. Moody’s, meanwhile, kept Gabon among the region’s four negative-outlook sovereigns, citing challenges controlling spending and projecting one of the sharpest debt increases.

Fuel Costs: Gabon spent 30 billion FCFA stabilizing fuel prices in September. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has asked the government to review the costly mechanism, but no pump-price increase has been announced. Fuel deliveries are gradually resuming after recent shortages. Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 Ocea warships to protect its waters, prompting debate over the scale and purpose of the naval buildup. Offshore Oil: VAALCO brought a new Etame field well online, producing about 2,000 barrels of oil a day, and completed its latest drilling phase offshore Gabon. Economic Outlook: Moody’s turned positive on sub-Saharan Africa but kept Gabon among four countries with negative outlooks, citing elevated spending and rising debt. Gabon also recorded CEMAC’s highest effective lending rate in the second quarter, at 21.51%. Film: Gabonese producer Samantha Biffot will discuss the Rwanda-Gabon co-production Ben’Imana at the Durban FilmMart, after the film won awards at Cannes.

Maritime Security: Gabon has ordered 15 Ocea warships to secure its waters, prompting debate over the scale and next steps of the naval buildup. Oil Production: VAALCO brought a new offshore Etame well online at about 2,000 barrels a day, completing its latest Gabon drilling phase. Public Finances: Moody’s gave sub-Saharan Africa a positive regional outlook but kept Gabon among the countries with a negative outlook, citing elevated spending and rising debt. Fuel Rules: New limits on containers at service stations are affecting drivers, amid recent diesel supply strains in Libreville. Public Health: A UN report says 251 tonnes of illicit medical products were seized across five Central African countries, including Gabon, from 2020 to 2025.

Oil and Gas: VAALCO has completed its Gabon drilling campaign and brought the ETSEM-3H well offshore onstream at about 2,000 barrels a day gross, with the rig now demobilized. Fuel Rules: Stations are turning away food-grade containers under new canister standards, prompting driver complaints; Libreville has also faced diesel shortages and rationing. Trade: Gabon’s planned January 2027 broiler-chicken import ban is drawing a US challenge at the WTO. The government says the move will support local producers and reduce import dependence. Public Health: A UN-backed report says at least 251 tonnes of illicit medical products were seized across Central Africa from 2020 to 2025, including in Gabon, and warns that unsafe drugs can cause treatment failures and deaths. Economy: Moody’s expects Gabon’s public debt to rise among the fastest in the region, citing elevated government spending. Wildlife: Newly released footage shows Gabon’s cave-dwelling dwarf crocodiles hunting bats; researchers warn their habitat lies outside protected areas.

Fuel Rules: Gabonese stations are turning away food-grade containers under new jerrycan standards, drawing driver complaints as diesel queues and rationing have recently disrupted supplies in Libreville. Oil Production: VAALCO has completed its offshore Gabon drilling campaign and brought the ETSEM-3H well online at about 2,000 barrels a day gross, adding production at the Etame field. Public Finances: Moody’s has turned positive on its outlook for sub-Saharan Africa, but expects Gabon’s debt to rise sharply as the government struggles to rein in spending. Health: A UN report says at least 251 tonnes of illicit medical products were seized across Central Africa from 2020 to 2025, including in Gabon, warning that unsafe and diverted medicines can cause treatment failures and poisoning. Football: Gabon bounced back from an opening AFCON qualifying defeat to Morocco by beating Niger; the national basketball team is also set to compete in a regional qualifier in Cameroon from October 10 to 13.