Gabon has signed a memorandum of understanding with French mining group Eramet to expand domestic manganese processing, reinforcing the government's strategy of moving beyond raw mineral exports toward higher-value industrial production.
Signed in Paris on 20 July, in the presence of Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and French President Emmanuel Macron, the agreement outlines a roadmap to increase manganese processing capacity in Gabon to 700,000 tonnes of ore per year by 2031.
The partners will assess several industrial projects aimed at expanding local processing while improving access to reliable electricity and supporting new manufacturing activities. The agreement also includes plans to develop a biochar industry and establish a "Made in Gabon" industrial seed fund to support domestic businesses.
Gabon is among the world's leading manganese producers, but most of its output is still exported as raw ore. The new initiative seeks to retain more value inside the country by expanding downstream processing and creating additional industrial jobs.
The agreement reflects President Oligui Nguema's broader industrial policy, which prioritizes local value addition over increased raw commodity exports. For Eramet, the roadmap provides a framework for future investment while aligning its operations with Gabon's long-term economic objectives.
