The Gabonese government’s economic strategy is yielding tangible results as the country positions itself as a key mining and industrial hub in Central Africa by 2030. With the strategic agreement signed with Africa Global Logistics (AGL) for the Kobe-Kobe deep-water port project just over a month ago, national infrastructure development has taken center stage.
In a decisive move to translate plans into action, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema inaugurated the groundbreaking ceremony for the Kobe-Kobe port project on Monday, June 8, 2026. This ambitious initiative integrates multiple components: a mineral terminal, a multipurpose and mineral quay, a rail loop, residential zones, cargo storage facilities, and administrative offices.
At its core, the project underscores Gabon’s commitment to localizing raw material production, fostering economic sovereignty through collaboration with international partners across all five continents. Each stakeholder—from mining firms to steel producers and processing plants—plays a critical role in ensuring seamless execution. “Every partner must deliver results to drive progress,” the Head of State emphasized.
The Minister of Transport and Merchant Marine, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, framed the initiative as more than an infrastructure endeavor: “We are not just launching a construction site—we are laying the groundwork for a new development paradigm built on industrialization, local value creation, territorial integration, and Gabon’s logistical sovereignty. Your vision is clear: to elevate Gabon as a regional logistics leader and a strategic hub in Central Africa. Today, that vision becomes reality.”
Industry observers rank the Kobe-Kobe port among the world’s top five mining projects. Philippe Labone, AGL’s Managing Director, confirmed that exports from the port will commence in April 2031.
The accompanying rail corridor will span approximately 550 km, connecting production sites to the port in roughly eight hours.
With studies already underway, AGL has committed to training young Gabonese professionals to spearhead this transformation.
The project’s scale is monumental: over 100,000 jobs expected, a projected GDP increase exceeding 50%, and an annual value exceeding $10 billion.
