Gabon’s strategic economic vision is clearly yielding tangible results. With an ambitious objective to emerge as a premier mining and industrial hub across Central Africa by 2030, the nation is pursuing significant initiatives. Just over a month following the pivotal strategic agreement signed with Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for the implementation of the Kobe-Kobe project, the government has underscored its commitment to enhancing national infrastructure.
Demonstrating a decisive move towards action, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema personally officiated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kobe-Kobe deep-water port on Monday, June 8, 2026.
This ambitious undertaking is designed to feature a dedicated mineral terminal, a versatile multi-purpose and mineral quay, a crucial railway loop, a residential zone, extensive cargo storage facilities, and administrative offices. Through this integrated project, Gabon emphatically asserts its aspiration for local raw material production. This pursuit of economic sovereignty is being forged in collaboration with international economic partners spanning five continents. Each partner is expected to contribute significantly, from mining operations and iron extraction to establishing processing plants. The overarching principle is cohesive collaboration. “Everyone must contribute and deliver results,” affirmed the Head of State.
“Today marks more than just the commencement of an infrastructure project. We are laying the groundwork for a transformative development model, rooted in industrialization, the generation of local value, territorial integration, and Gabon’s logistical sovereignty. The vision is unequivocal: to establish Gabon as an indispensable force in regional logistics and a pivotal strategic hub within Central Africa. This aspiration is now manifesting in concrete form,” emphasized Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, the Minister of Transport and Merchant Marine.
Our insights confirm this initiative stands among the world’s top five largest mining projects. During his address, Philippe Labone, CEO of AGL, announced that “exports from the Kobe-Kobe port are slated to commence in April 2031.”
Elaborating on the specifics, the accompanying railway corridor will span approximately 550 kilometers, efficiently linking production sites directly to the expansive port complex with an estimated travel time of about eight hours.
While initial studies are already underway, AGL has confirmed plans to send young Gabonese individuals for specialized training, ensuring they become integral to this transformative process.
Quantitatively, the project anticipates generating over 100,000 new employment opportunities, contributing to an increase of more than 50% in the national Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and is projected to yield an annual value exceeding $10 billion.
