AGP Executive Report

Franco-Gabonese Business Push: Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema is in France and, alongside Macron, has helped secure new deals—most notably an Eramet MoU to study local manganese processing of up to 700,000 tonnes a year by 2031, with Gabon aiming to stop exporting unprocessed ore by January 2029. Energy & Risk Watch: TotalEnergies reported Q2 net profit doubling to $5.4bn, citing Middle East-driven higher hydrocarbon prices and production gains, while Hormuz volatility keeps energy markets jittery. Regional Mobility for Trade: South Africa published a visa-free list for 30-day stays that includes Gabon, easing short business travel and cross-border movement. AU Security Funding Pressure: Cameroon and Gabon warned that the AU’s Somalia mission (AUSSOM) can’t run indefinitely as funding uncertainty grows, pushing Somalia toward self-sustaining security institutions. Finance & Inclusion: Optasia is betting big on microfinance beyond airtime lending, targeting 80%+ of revenue from non-airtime credit services. Travel Safety Signal: A solo-travel risk index ranked Gabon among the riskiest destinations for 2026, pointing to healthcare access as a key driver.

Manganese Deal Boost: Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema kicked off a state visit to France with three agreements, led by a memorandum with Eramet/Comilog to process up to 700 kilotons of manganese ore per year by end-2031, plus security and water/energy cooperation. Local Jobs Push: The Eramet MoU also points to a “Made in Gabon” seed fund aimed at creating 3,000 industrial jobs and support for new processing and biochar initiatives. Franco-Gabonese Tensions: As mining ties deepen, pressure is also rising on France to intervene in the detention of opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, with lawyers citing alleged degrading conditions and political motivation. Regional Finance Watch: In CEMAC, banks’ demand for BEAC liquidity rose again after policy easing, underscoring ongoing pressure on funding for key imports. Energy Markets: OPEC+ is set for its August meeting amid Strait of Hormuz volatility, while Gabon remains in the group shaping regional oil supply expectations. Travel Risk Alert: A new solo-travel risk index flags Gabon among the riskiest destinations for 2026, driven mainly by healthcare access concerns.

Franco-Gabonese Industrial Push: President Brice Oligui Nguema’s state visit to France kicked off with three cooperation deals, led by an Eramet–Gabon MoU to study local manganese processing of up to 700,000 tonnes a year by 2031, with Libreville aiming to stop exporting unprocessed manganese from January 2029. Mining Value-Chain Jobs: Eramet says the roadmap will assess three industrial options and includes plans tied to “Made in Gabon” and job creation, as Gabon tries to keep more mineral value at home. Diplomacy Under Pressure: France is also facing renewed calls to intervene in the detention of opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, with lawyers alleging degrading conditions and political motivation. Regional Mobility for Business: South Africa published its 30-day visa-free entry list for select African countries, including Gabon, easing short business travel and transit. CEMAC Liquidity Watch: A study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility (CFA1.7–2.3tn) to protect essential imports during shocks, while recent data shows banks’ demand for BEAC refinancing remains above supply. AU Somalia Funding Doubts: Cameroon and Gabon warned that the AU’s Somalia mission (AUSSOM) can’t continue indefinitely as funding uncertainty grows, pushing Somalia toward self-sustaining security.

Manganese Value-Chain Push: Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema kicked off a state visit to France with three deals, led by an Eramet–Gabon MoU to study industrial options to process up to 700,000 tonnes of manganese ore per year by end-2031, supporting Libreville’s plan to end raw ore exports by January 2029 and deepen the EV battery supply chain. Franco-Gabonese Cooperation: The same visit also covers security, water and energy cooperation, with both sides framing the agenda as “concrete results” for Gabon’s industrialisation. Diplomatic Pressure on Governance: As the visit unfolds, Bilie-By-Nze’s lawyers are urging France to use its influence over the detained opposition figure, keeping political risk in the spotlight alongside mining investment talks. CEMAC Liquidity Watch: In the wider region, BEAC liquidity demand rose again after policy easing, with banks repeatedly requesting more refinancing than the central bank supplied—an issue that can affect financing for essential imports. Crypto Claims Update: FTX is set to begin a roughly $900m payout process for eligible creditors, but some jurisdictions including Gabon remain blocked from selecting providers.

Franco-Gabonese Deals: President Brice Oligui Nguema’s state visit to France has produced three strategic agreements, led by a manganese push with Eramet/Comilog to process up to 700,000 tonnes of ore annually by end-2031, as Libreville moves toward a January 2029 ban on exporting unprocessed manganese. Industrial Jobs & Value Chain: The Eramet MoU also points to a “Made in Gabon” seed fund aimed at creating 3,000 industrial jobs, alongside plans for new processing facilities and related industrial projects. Energy & Security Cooperation: Alongside mining, the two sides signed accords covering security, water and energy, with more agreements expected during the visit. Political Pressure in Paris: France is facing renewed calls to intervene in the detention of opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, with lawyers alleging degrading conditions and arguing the case is politically motivated. Regional Finance Watch: In CEMAC, BEAC liquidity demand rose again after policy easing, with banks seeking more refinancing than the central bank supplied, underscoring ongoing pressure on credit conditions across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and others.

Mining & Jobs: Eramet and its Gabon unit Eramet Comilog signed an MoU with the government to expand manganese ore processing up to 700 kilotons a year by end-2031, alongside biochar plans and a “Made in Gabon” seed fund targeting 3,000 industrial jobs. France-Gabon Economic Ties: President Brice Oligui Nguema’s state visit to Paris is set to deepen political and economic cooperation, with mining investment and defence on the agenda and follow-ups to last year’s Libreville agreements. Legal Pressure on Detention: Opposition leader Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze’s lawyers are urging France to use its influence over his detention since April, alleging degrading conditions and political motivation. Regional Finance & Liquidity: BEAC liquidity demand rose again after policy easing, with banks requesting more than the central bank could supply in recent auctions—an issue for import financing across CEMAC, including Gabon. Energy Exploration Watch: ReconAfrica reported first hydrocarbons to surface from Namibia’s Kavango West 1X well during testing, with further work moving to the Huttenberg formation. Trade & Industry Linkages: A study highlights how critical minerals refining remains concentrated, pushing African countries—including Gabon—toward value-add policies that depend on broader industrial capacity.

State Visit & Mining Talks: Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema arrives in France for a state visit with an 80-strong delegation, aiming to follow up Libreville agreements and push for French miner Eramet to process manganese locally, with a January 2029 export deadline now a key sticking point. Rule of Law Pressure: France is also facing mounting calls to intervene in the detention of opposition figure Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, whose lawyers say he is held in degrading conditions and that the case is politically motivated. Central Africa Finance: BEAC liquidity demand keeps rising after policy easing, with banks requesting more than the central bank can supply in recent weekly injections, underscoring funding stress across CEMAC. Capital Markets Push: BEAC has selected four CEMAC firms—including Gabon’s Samba’A Assurances, Gabon Power Company and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal—for 143m CFA support to help cover part of BVMAC listing costs. Energy & Industry: ReconAfrica reports first hydrocarbons to surface from Namibia’s Kavango West 1X well, while Africa’s critical minerals outlook warns refining remains highly concentrated and export controls could raise risks for downstream industries. Digital Education: Airtel Africa plans to expand school internet connectivity, targeting 5,000 schools across 13 countries by 2027, building on Malawi’s Nzeru Connect rollout.

CEMAC Liquidity Watch: BEAC says banks kept demanding more refinancing after June policy easing, with July 14 requests of CFA535.5bn versus CFA500bn offered—another sign of tight funding conditions across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and others. Capital Markets Push: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms for 143m CFA support to help cover part of their BVMAC listing costs, including Gabon’s Samba’A Assurances and Gabon Power Company. Mining & Metals Outlook: The IEA warns critical-minerals supply chains are getting more concentrated and exposed to export controls, while Africa’s push for export bans is only the start of a tougher value-add challenge. Gabon Energy/Trade Angle: A study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility of CFA1.7–2.3tn to protect essential imports during geopolitical shocks. Digital Banking: BGFI Bank Group renews its SBS partnership to roll out a group-wide digital banking suite across subsidiaries. Education Connectivity: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools by 2027 with free internet and zero-rated learning platforms, building on pilots in Malawi and other markets.

CEMAC Finance & Markets: BEAC liquidity demand keeps rising after policy easing, with banks requesting CFA535.5bn on July 14 but receiving only CFA500bn, leaving unmet demand and showing refinancing pressure across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon, Equatorial Guinea, Chad and CAR. Capital Markets: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms to get nearly CFA143m to help cover part of their BVMAC listing costs, including Gabon-based Samba’A Assurances, Gabon Power Company and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal. Energy & Trade: Oil majors are eyeing more West Africa offshore exploration, with talks involving Cameroon, Mauritania and Gabon. Mining Value-Add Debate: The IEA warns critical minerals supply chains are fragile, with refining concentrated in China and export controls rising—fueling Africa’s push for local processing, including Gabon’s planned manganese export halt later this decade. Gabon Business & Finance: BGFI Bank Group renewed its partnership with SBS for a group-wide digital banking rollout under BGFI 30, starting with pilot subsidiaries. Mobility & Visas: Russia published its 2026 visa-free entry list; South Africa is the only African country with visa-free access on any passport type, while others face diplomatic/service passport limits. Local Development: Togo and the AU discussed new cooperation areas to support decentralization and local economic empowerment.

Central Africa Finance: BEAC liquidity demand kept climbing after policy easing, with banks requesting CFA535.5bn on July 14 but receiving only CFA500bn, leaving a shortfall and showing refinancing pressure across CEMAC. Capital Markets: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms for 143m CFA support to help cover part of their BVMAC listing costs, including Gabon’s Samba’A Assurances and Gabon Power Company. Mining & Industrial Policy: Cameroon targets over $1.75bn a year from new mining projects and a push to bring undeclared gold into the formal economy, aiming to boost state revenue beyond oil. Energy Value Chain: APPO NOC-CEO Forum in Cape Town on Oct 12 will focus on regional refining, gas markets and cross-border petroleum trade—key themes for reducing Africa’s dependence on imported fuels. Gabon Mobility & Digital Banking: BGFI Bank Group in Libreville renewed its partnership with SBS for a group-wide digital banking rollout, while Gabon updated bilateral visa-exemption rules, keeping only Mauritius, Morocco and South Africa visa-free for ordinary passports. Regional Trade & Travel: Russia published its 2026 visa-free list with strict passport-based conditions, and South Africa retained broad visa-free access for many nationalities in 2026.

Visa Rules Watch: Russia published its full 2026 visa-free list, with South Africa the only African country allowed visa-free on any passport type; most other African countries on the list face tighter limits, mainly for diplomatic or service passports. Regional Finance: BEAC liquidity demand kept rising after policy easing, with banks again requesting more than the central bank could supply in successive weekly auctions—an issue for credit and import financing across CEMAC, including Gabon. Mining & Value-Add: The IEA warns critical minerals supply chains are becoming more concentrated and exposed to export controls, while Africa’s push to move from raw exports to refining faces big industrial bottlenecks. Gabon Business Angle: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms for near CFA143m support to help cover costs of listing on BVMAC, including Gabon-based companies. Energy & Industry: IOCs are in talks to expand West Africa offshore exploration, with Cameroon and Gabon among the focus countries. Mobility & Trade: Changan opened its first Ethiopian showroom as Ethiopia’s EV-only import policy reshapes the auto market. Local Development: Togo began talks with the AU on partnerships to support local development and decentralization.

CEMAC Liquidity Crunch: BEAC liquidity demand kept rising after policy easing, with banks requesting CFA535.5bn on July 14 but receiving only CFA500bn, leaving CFA35.5bn unmet—demand has exceeded supply for three straight auctions. Stock Market Push: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms for nearly CFA143m support to help cover part of their BVMAC listing costs, including Gabon’s Samba’A Assurances and Gabon Power Company. Mining & Value Shift: Cameroon targets $1.75bn a year from new mining projects and a crackdown on undeclared gold to boost state revenue beyond oil. Critical Minerals Risk: The IEA warns export controls and supply concentration—especially China’s refining dominance—are turning critical minerals into an economic security challenge. Oil Exploration Setback: São Tomé and Príncipe rejected all bids in its latest offshore licensing round, leaving Petrobras and Oranto without awards for blocks 7–9. Gabon Business & Finance: BGFI Bank Group renewed its partnership with SBS for a group-wide digital banking rollout under its 2026–2030 plan. Mobility & Tech: Changan opened its first Ethiopian showroom as Ethiopia’s EV-only import policy drives new competition. Regional Energy Agenda: NNPC and other APPO national oil companies will meet in Cape Town on Oct 12 to push regional refining, gas markets and cross-border petroleum trade.

Critical Minerals & Supply Security: The IEA warns that investment in mining and refining fell 9% last year as geopolitics and price swings bite, while China and Indonesia dominate refined output—pushing export controls like rare-earth restrictions into a direct economic-security risk. CEMAC Liquidity Pressure: A new study urges BEAC to create an emergency liquidity facility of CFA1.7tn–CFA2.3tn to protect essential imports during shocks, as banks’ demand for BEAC refinancing keeps rising after policy easing. BEAC Market Support: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms—including Gabon’s Samba’A Assurances, Gabon Power Company and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal—for 143m CFA support to help cover part of BVMAC listing costs. Regional Energy Push: NNPC and other African national oil companies will meet in Cape Town on Oct 12 to drive regional refining, gas markets and cross-border petroleum trade under the APPO NOC-CEO Forum. Gabon Digital & Finance Moves: Gabon held talks with TikTok at WSIS 2026 on platform governance, while BGFI Bank Group renewed its partnership with SBS to roll out a group-wide digital banking suite. Education Connectivity: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools to internet by 2027 with UNICEF support, building on pilots already running in several countries. Mobility & Trade: Changan opened its first Ethiopian EV-only market showroom, and BEAC joined PAPSS to speed up instant cross-border payments across CEMAC.

BEAC Liquidity Stress Test: A new study urges BEAC to set up an emergency liquidity facility of CFA1.7tn–CFA2.3tn to keep financing flowing for essentials like food, fuel and pharmaceuticals during geopolitical shocks, with the proposed size pegged at about 2%–3% of CEMAC GDP. CEMAC Banking Pressure: After BEAC eased monetary policy on June 29, banks kept asking for more refinancing than BEAC supplied—requests rose to CFA535.5bn on July 14 while BEAC offered CFA500bn, leaving part of demand unmet for the third straight auction. CEMAC Capital Markets Push: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms to receive nearly CFA143m to help cover part of the costs of listing on BVMAC, including Gabon-based Samba’A Assurances, Gabon Power Company and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal. Cross-Border Payments Upgrade: BEAC has joined PAPSS, linking CEMAC to instant payments across Africa in local currencies, aiming to cut the cost and speed up cross-border transfers. Gabon Digital Governance: Gabon held talks with TikTok executives at WSIS 2026 in Geneva to review progress since February 2026 platform suspensions and move toward a more structured approach to digital platform governance. Oil & Gas Regional Value Agenda: APPO’s NOC-CEO Forum is set for October 12 in Cape Town alongside African Energy Week, with a focus on regional refining, gas markets, petroleum trade and harmonising regulations—key themes for reducing Africa’s reliance on imported fuels.

Central Banking & Payments: BEAC has joined PAPSS, linking CEMAC to instant cross-border payments across Africa and enabling faster, cheaper transfers in local currencies. Capital Markets: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms for nearly CFA143m support to help cover part of their BVMAC listing costs, a boost for regional market depth. Energy & Value Retention: APPO NOC-CEO Forum returns in Cape Town on Oct 12 alongside African Energy Week, pushing regional refining, gas markets, petroleum trade and shared infrastructure—key for reducing Africa’s reliance on imported fuels. Oil & Gas (Gabon link): OPEC crude output rose in June, with Gabon among the producers recording a small increase. Digital Economy (Gabon link): Gabon held talks with TikTok at WSIS 2026 to review progress on digital platform governance after earlier suspensions. Banking Modernisation (Gabon link): BGFI Bank Group renewed its partnership with SBS for a Group-wide digital banking rollout under its 2026–2030 plan. Education & Connectivity: Airtel Africa targets connecting 5,000 schools with internet by 2027, building on pilots already running in countries including Malawi. Travel & Mobility (Gabon link): Gabon updated bilateral visa-exemption rules, with only a small set of African countries allowed visa-free on ordinary passports.

Gabon Digital Governance: Gabon held talks with TikTok executives at WSIS 2026 in Geneva, reviewing progress since its February 2026 digital platform suspensions and pushing for a more structured approach to online safety. CEMAC Capital Markets: BEAC selected four CEMAC firms—including Gabon-based Samba’A Assurances, Gabon Power Company and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal—for nearly CFA143m support to help cover part of their BVMAC listing costs. Cross-Border Payments: BEAC officially joined PAPSS, extending instant, local-currency transfers across CEMAC and linking Central Africa to wider African payment rails. Oil & Gas Regional Value: NNPC and other APPO national oil companies will meet in Cape Town on Oct 12 to accelerate regional refining, energy financing and cross-border petroleum trade, with Gabon among expected participants. Gabon Tax Enforcement: A Gabonese national, Andre Claude De Diguela, was sentenced in South Africa to an effective 10 years for R67m SARS VAT fraud using forged medical invoices. Education Connectivity: Airtel Africa plans to connect 5,000 schools across 13 countries by 2027 with free internet and UNICEF-backed digital learning, building on Malawi’s connected schools.