Kobé-Kobé: Gabon’s bold bet to move beyond oil

With the groundbreaking of the future deep-water port at Kobé-Kobé, Gabon has launched one of the most ambitious structural projects in its recent history. Backed by the Belinga iron ore deposit, a new railway line, and the planned Booué hydroelectric dam, this industrial and logistics complex embodies the government’s determination to build an economy less reliant on oil and more focused on local processing of natural resources.

Long dependent on oil revenues, Gabon is now looking to diversify its growth engines. In this strategy, the Kobé-Kobé project stands as a cornerstone of the new economic model envisioned by authorities. More than just a port, it is a vast industrial ecosystem designed to connect the country’s mineral resources to international markets while maximizing local benefits.

Located on the Atlantic coast in Estuaire Province, the future deep-water port will have a draft of between 14 and 16 meters, allowing it to accommodate very large vessels. This feature is expected to significantly boost Gabon’s logistics competitiveness amid growing rivalry among Central African port infrastructures.

An integrated project at the heart of economic transformation

Kobé-Kobé is part of a complete value chain built around several strategic infrastructures. At the center lies the Belinga iron ore deposit, considered one of the largest untapped reserves globally.

To transport the ore to the coast, a new railway line will link the interior to the future port. Added to this is the Booué hydroelectric dam project, intended to supply the energy needed to run the mining and industrial complex. This integrated approach aims to avoid the traditional model of raw material exports by encouraging local processing within national borders.

A strategic agreement signed in April 2026 between the Gabonese state and Africa Global Logistics (AGL) marks a decisive step toward realizing the project. The stated goal is to create a benchmark logistics platform capable of supporting the country’s industrialization.

Up to 160,000 jobs expected

Beyond infrastructure, a key issue remains the project’s social and economic impact. According to estimates, the complex could generate up to 160,000 direct and indirect jobs during its development.

This prospect sends a strong signal to Gabonese youth facing employment challenges. Needs will span construction, logistics, industry, rail transport, energy, and maintenance sectors.

For authorities, the aim is to create a ripple effect across the entire national economic fabric by fostering local businesses capable of participating in the subcontracting chain.

The materialization of an ambition for economic sovereignty

Beyond its economic dimension, Kobé-Kobé also carries strong symbolic weight. The project reflects the will of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to build an economy more grounded in the valorization of national resources and control over strategic infrastructure.

In a context where economic sovereignty is emerging as a major issue for African states, the future mining, energy, rail, and port complex appears as one of the most concrete illustrations of this ambition. If the announced timelines are met, Kobé-Kobé could, by 2030, become a key symbol of Gabon’s economic transformation and its entry into the post-oil era.