Gabon will halt the export of raw manganese from 1 January 2029 as part of a national strategy to strengthen local industry and reduce dependence on unprocessed mineral exports.
President Brice Oligui Nguema announced the decision during a Council of Ministers meeting held on Friday. In a statement released on Saturday, he described the ban as an important step to increase domestic processing, develop local skills, and retain more value from the country’s resources.
Manganese is one of Gabon’s largest sources of income, alongside crude oil and timber. The country is currently the second-largest global mineral producer, essential in producing stainless steel and electric vehicle batteries.
Under the new policy, companies have three years to invest in local transformation infrastructure. A public-private investment fund will also support establishing processing facilities nationwide.
In a related policy shift, the government will ban the import of chicken meat from 1 January 2027. Authorities say the measure encourages local poultry farming and enhances food self-sufficiency.
Although Gabon has one of Africa’s highest per capita incomes, much of its 2.3 million population continues to live in poverty. President Nguema’s announcement mirrors a trend across West Africa, where governments take more assertive control of natural resources.
In Guinea, authorities recently cancelled 129 mineral exploration permits, mostly covering gold. The Ministry of Mines said the move is part of a strategy to strengthen governance in the sector and prioritise investors committed to development.
A senior official told Reuters that the affected assets have reverted to state ownership. The government has also digitised its permitting system to improve transparency and regulatory oversight. Guinea revoked 51 mining licences in May covering bauxite, diamonds, graphite, iron ore, and gold.
Mali and Burkina Faso have also taken similar steps, stripping hundreds of licences from foreign companies to increase local benefits from resource exploitation.
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