Gabon to halt raw Manganese exports starting in 2029

Gabon is set to stop exporting unprocessed manganese starting in 2029 as part of a broader strategy to boost value-added production within the country, according to a government statement released on Saturday.

Manganese, a key component in manufacturing stainless steel and batteries, ranks among Gabon's top revenue-generating exports, alongside timber and oil.

During a cabinet meeting held on Friday, President Brice Oligui Nguema directed the implementation of "a definitive ban on the export of raw manganese beginning January 1, 2029."

The statement emphasized the strategic significance of the resource, noting that Gabon is currently the world’s second-largest producer.

The initiative, introduced in the resource-rich Central African nation of 2.3 million people, is part of a broader strategy to promote industrial growth.

According to the government statement, the plan focuses on processing raw materials locally, enhancing the skills of the domestic workforce, gaining control over key technological processes, and strengthening public revenue collection.

President Nguema, who seized power by toppling the long-standing Bongo regime and later secured a landslide election victory in April with nearly 95% of the vote, said the mining sector has three years to prepare for this shift.

The transition period is intended to allow sufficient time for investment in infrastructure and capacity.

The government also announced the creation of a joint public-private investment fund to back the transformation of the industry.

In addition, the council of ministers resolved to prohibit the importation of chicken meat, effective January 1, 2027.

Despite Gabon's considerable natural wealth, economic inequality remains a major issue. Around one-third of the population lives below the poverty line, and roughly 10 percent face food insecurity.