Libreville, Gabon — In a strategic economic move, the Gabonese government has approved significant tax and customs incentives for two manganese mining projects by Nouvelle Gabon Mining (NGM) in the Haut-Ogooué province.
The approval, which falls under the Law of Finance Rectification (LFR) 2026, is a pivotal shift in Gabon’s economic strategy, aiming to increase the mining sector’s contribution to the national fiscal revenue.
The LFR 2026 has provided for the approval of two mining conventions for NGM, covering the entire fiscal and customs chain of the projects. This move is part of a broader plan to attract more private capital and secure the legal certainty of large extractive projects, according to the Minister of Mines, Sosthène Nguema Nguema. Gabon, historically reliant on oil exports, has been actively seeking to diversify its economy.
The mining sector currently contributes 6% to the national fiscal revenue, with the Minister of Mines setting an ambitious target to increase this to nearly 20% within a short-term period.
The two manganese mining projects in Franceville and Okondja/Lebaye are seen as key to achieving this goal.
The tax and customs incentives are expected to attract international investors and consolidate the security of large extractive projects, thereby accelerating economic diversification.
The decision has sparked a mix of optimism and skepticism, with some viewing it as a positive signal to international investors and others concerned about the long — term environmental and social impacts of the projects.
As Gabon moves away from its dependency on oil, the approval of these mining projects and the subsequent tax incentives could signal a new era for the country’s economy.
The next few years will be crucial in determining the success of this strategy and its impact on the nation’s fiscal health and social development.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
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This original article was produced by the ImNews editorial team
Source: Agpgabon
Source: Redaction
