The African Tribune

PoliticsLibreville's coast transformation drives Gabon's urban growthBy Editor-in-Chief June 11, 2026 148 No commentLibreville, June 11, 2026 — President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's recent visit to the coastal development projects signals a bold new chapter for Gabon's capital. The head of state inspected key works along the seafront, underscoring his administration's commitment to making Libreville's coastline a catalyst for economic renewal and urban revitalization.Urban progress is often measured by tangible results. In Libreville, the coastline is fast becoming the most visible emblem of this transformation. Just hours after launching 200 new taxis under the Taxi Gab initiative, the President conducted an on-site review of major coastal construction projects—a move that highlights a...

The heartbeat of Libreville’s informal economy is also a hotspot for systemic extortion that plagues hundreds of traders daily. At Mont-Bouët—Gabon’s largest market—the issue of routine racketeering has resurfaced as the most pressing challenge facing Mayor Eugène Mba. Beneath the vibrant colors of market stalls and the lively haggling of vendors lies a darker truth. Organized by the Gabonese Hustlers’ Union and the Development Solidarity NGO, a coalition of traders has gone public with allegations of an entrenched extortion ring involving municipal staff and law enforcement officers. Testimonies confirm that illegal levies far exceed official fees. “Some city agents demand 2,000 FCFA per stall instead of the regulated 500 FCFA,” shared a vendor. Worse still, receipts are rarely issued, ...

Gabon has taken a significant stride in safeguarding its rich biodiversity. Moving forward, the exploitation and commercialization of iboga, a plant endemic to Central Africa known for its potent psychotropic and therapeutic qualities, will be subject to stringent authorization from national authorities. Libreville is thus asserting control over this iconic resource, which has long been harvested without rigorous oversight, despite its global economic value steadily increasing over the past decade. A strategic resource brought under state control The Tabernanthe iboga, an indigenous shrub thriving in the Gabonese equatorial forest, holds a unique and revered position within the nation's heritage. Beyond its central role in the Bwiti initiatory rite, it is also a subject of international bi...