AGP Executive Report

Gabon EXPO 2027: Gabon signed a contract in Belgrade to formalise its participation in the specialised EXPO 2027, with the event set for May 15–Aug 15, 2027 under “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All.” Oil & Gas Investment: Record Resources says further work on Gabon’s Loba discovery points to a first well that could produce above 5,000 barrels per day, with the wider Loba complex potentially reaching around 20,000 bpd. Corruption Probe Spillover: Switzerland’s authorities searched commodities trader Gunvor in Geneva as part of a corruption case linked to an alleged opaque oil contract connected to Gabon in 2024; Gunvor denies any knowledge of the alleged scheme. Public Finance & Governance: AfDB governors backed reforms to reshape Africa’s financial architecture and cut reliance on external funding, with deposit and investment funds endorsing the push to mobilise domestic savings. Regional Security & Economy: Cameroon’s MINAT ordered tighter scrutiny of local mining practices in Bertoua while warning fugitive politicians, as officials link governance and economic stability. Health Watch: KNUST joined a consortium to accelerate a dengue vaccine for Africa, as the disease spreads across sub-Saharan countries. Social Impact: A Libreville court convicted the operators and defendants in the Esther Miracle ferry disaster case, sentencing individuals and fining the company, but victims’ families are already calling the compensation too low.

Gabon EXPO 2027: Gabon has signed in Belgrade the contract for its participation in EXPO 2027, with the event running May 15–Aug 15, 2027 under “Play for Humanity: Sport and Music for All,” and 138 countries already confirmed. Oil & Gas Development: Record Resources says its Loba discovery in Gabon could deliver first production above 5,000 barrels per day, citing encouraging geological and geophysical work and performance from the nearby Batanga reservoir analogue at Barbier Southwest. Regional Finance & Compliance: Cameroon’s Alios Finance is planning a capital increase after Credaf’s takeover, aiming to move closer to higher COBAC capital requirements. Illicit Flows Fight: Central African governments and partners launched a Yaounde workshop to strengthen action against illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing. Tax Pressure in Telecoms: Cameroon is pushing to collect unpaid taxes tied to unregistered mobile phones, raising questions about who should be held responsible and how enforcement will work. Courtroom Accountability (Gabon): A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and others in the Esther Miracle ferry disaster case, sentencing defendants to 38 months and fining the company, with civil parties already signaling appeals. Governance & Stability: A week of coverage also highlights how coups and crises keep reshaping African democracy and elections.

Oil & Gas (Gabon): Record Resources says its Loba discovery could deliver first production above 5,000 barrels per day, with the Loba Marine 2 well targeting the Batanga reservoir and using modern completion tech, while the wider Loba complex is flagged for up to ~20,000 bpd potential. Central Africa Finance: BEAC has kept liquidity support steady with a CFA500 billion injection for CEMAC banks, using a variable-rate auction at 4.75% as demand swings across the bloc. Financial Crime Watch: A Yaounde workshop brings together Cameroon, Gabon, CAR and DRC to strengthen the fight against illicit financial flows, money laundering and terrorist financing. Banking Regulation (Cameroon): Alios Finance Cameroon plans a share capital increase after Credaf’s takeover, aiming to better meet tightening COBAC capital requirements. Public Accountability (Gabon): A Libreville court convicts Royal Coast Marine and others over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, handing prison terms and fines while civil parties push to appeal. Governance & Youth: Gabon’s social media curbs for under-16s draw criticism as digital controls harden. Regional Business Infrastructure (Cameroon): Douala moves toward its World Bank-backed BRT rollout, awarding a contract to update the resettlement action plan.

AfDB Financial Reform Push: Africa’s deposit and investment funds backed the AfDB’s “Four Cardinal Points” and NAFAD plan to speed up reforms of the continent’s financial architecture, mobilise domestic savings and cut reliance on external financing. Gabon Resource-to-Value Plan: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema pitched eco-tourism and a national carbon-credit framework to turn forests and biodiversity into long-term growth. Cemac Liquidity Support: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into banks across the CEMAC zone via a variable-rate auction, keeping the offer steady despite shifting demand. Gabon Oil Output Outlook: Record Resources says a first Loba well in Gabon could produce 5,000 bbl/d, with the wider Loba complex potentially targeting ~20,000 bbl/d. Gabon Court on Maritime Disaster: A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and defendants over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry sinking, sentencing individuals to 38 months and fining the company, with civil parties criticising compensation. Swiss Probe Hits Commodities Trader: Switzerland searched Gunvor’s Geneva offices as part of bribery-related proceedings, with the NGO alleging an opaque Gabon-linked oil contract.

Gabon’s oil outlook: Record Resources says its Loba discovery could deliver first production of about 5,000 bbl/d from a planned Loba Marine 2 well, with the wider Loba complex potentially reaching ~20,000 bbl/d. Public finance & liquidity: BEAC kept its liquidity injection at CFA500 billion for Cemac banks, with a 4.75% variable-rate auction running May 28–June 4, highlighting shifting refinancing demand. Health security: Work is underway on a vaccine for the latest Ebola variant, the “Bundibugyo ebolavirus,” as Central Africa braces for a highly contagious outbreak. Resources tax push: African states are tightening tax and customs rules in mining and oil and gas, raising burdens and limiting incentives as they renegotiate legacy contracts. Gabon at AfDB: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Gabon’s president pitched carbon-credit and eco-tourism plans to turn forest assets into long-term growth, alongside calls for more private capital for energy and infrastructure. Maritime justice in Gabon: A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and eight defendants over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing them to 38 months and fining the company, while civil parties criticize compensation. Digital controls in Gabon: Gabon’s social media restrictions for under-16s are framed as a growing model of platform control, with concerns for youth civic and business activity.

Oil & Maritime Security: France says it seized a Russia-linked oil tanker in the Atlantic, underscoring tighter enforcement against sanctions-busting “shadow fleet” activity. Upstream Oil in Gabon: Record Resources projects its Loba Marine 2 well could produce 5,000 bbl/d, with the wider Loba complex potentially reaching ~20,000 bbl/d. Cemac Liquidity: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into banks across the region via a variable-rate auction at 4.75%, showing uneven refinancing demand. AfDB Financing Push: African leaders at the AfDB annual meetings in Brazzaville urged more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, with Gabon highlighting eco-tourism and carbon-credit monetisation. Gabon Carbon & Forest Economy: Gabon’s president outlined plans to monetise forest reserves through a national carbon-credit framework and a dedicated agency to market credits. Transport Project in Cameroon: Douala plans to award a contract to update the Resettlement Action Plan for its CFA335 billion BRT corridor, funded by the World Bank. Gabon Justice: A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and eight defendants over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing individuals to 38 months and fining the company. Digital Policy Watch: Gabon’s move to restrict social media access for under-16s is drawing scrutiny amid concerns over digital rights and business impacts.

AfDB Financing Push: African deposit and investment funds endorsed the AfDB’s NAFAD plan to reform Africa’s financial architecture, boost domestic resource mobilisation and cut reliance on foreign financing, backed by the Abidjan Consensus and AfDB leadership. Cemac Liquidity Watch: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into banks across the CEMAC zone (including Gabon) in a May 25 operation, using a variable-rate auction at 4.75%, as demand swung above and below the offered amount in recent weeks. Gabon’s Carbon-Backed Growth Plan: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema pitched eco-tourism and a national carbon-credit framework to turn forest conservation into long-term revenue, while calling for stronger international compensation for Congo Basin countries. Food Inflation at Home: In Gabon, bread prices are rising as gas and transport costs feed through the supply chain—loaf prices jumped and bakeries adjusted both pricing and loaf weight amid higher flour costs. Gabon in the News Beyond Borders: A Libreville court convicted the operator and defendants in the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing individuals to 38 months and sparking renewed calls for higher compensation.

Cemac Banking Liquidity: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into the regional banking system (May 28–June 4) at 4.75% via variable-rate auctions, with demand swinging from CFA572.2bn (May 5) to CFA364.2bn (May 12) and back to CFA426bn (May 18), underlining uneven short-term liquidity needs across Cameroon, Congo and Gabon. Gabon Maritime Justice: A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and eight defendants over the 8–9 March 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing individuals to 38 months and fining the company, but civil parties are angry at compensation set at $3,500 per victim. Gabon Food Costs: Bread prices in Gabon are rising as gas and transport costs push up flour and fuel-linked logistics, with bakeries adjusting both price and loaf weight amid tighter household budgets. AfDB Financing Push (Gabon at the table): At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, African leaders—including Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema—urged more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, highlighting carbon-credit and eco-tourism plans. Douala BRT Procurement (regional transport): Douala’s city council moved to update the BRT project’s Resettlement Action Plan, targeting a CFA98.3m consultant contract ahead of corridor works. Press Freedom Watch: RSF’s 2026 index says global press freedom is at a 25-year low, with over half of countries in “difficult” or “very serious” categories—an issue that matters for business transparency and risk.

Cemac Liquidity Watch: BEAC kept its liquidity injection at CFA500 billion for banks across Cameroon, Congo and Gabon, using a variable-rate auction at 4.75% as demand swung between CFA572.2bn and CFA364.2bn in recent operations. AfDB Financing Push: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema joined other African leaders calling for more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, with a push for bankable projects and private capital. Gabon Forest-to-Cash Plan: Nguema said Gabon is monetising forest conservation via a national carbon-credit framework and a dedicated agency, linking biodiversity finance to eco-tourism and seeking stronger international compensation for Congo Basin countries. Douala BRT Procurement: Douala City Council moved to update the Resettlement Action Plan for its CFA335bn BRT corridor, with a planned contract for TESID-Enda International worth CFA98.3m (taxes included) ahead of corridor works. Gabon Maritime Justice: A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and eight defendants over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing individuals to 38 months and fining the company, while civil parties criticised compensation. Digital Rules in Gabon: Gabon’s move to restrict social media use for under-16s is framed as a tightening model of platform control, raising concerns for youth civic and business activity. AI Adoption Benchmark: Microsoft data places Gabon among Africa’s mid-to-top tier for generative AI use, with Gabon tied at 15% in the report’s continent ranking.

BEAC Liquidity Watch: The Bank of Central African States (BEAC) injected CFA500 billion into Cemac banks in a May 25 operation (auction rate 4.75%), keeping the offer steady despite shifting demand across recent weeks—an important signal for credit and short-term liquidity in Gabon and the region. Gabon Court Ruling: In a major case for maritime safety, a Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and eight defendants over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing individuals to 38 months and fining the company, while victims’ families criticized compensation and signaled appeals. AfDB Annual Meetings—Energy & Growth: At the AfDB 2026 presidential dialogue in Brazzaville, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema joined other leaders calling for more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, with Gabon pushing forest carbon credits and eco-tourism as growth levers. Douala BRT Procurement: Douala’s city council moved forward on its World Bank-backed BRT project by planning a CFA98.3 million contract to update the Resettlement Action Plan, a key step before corridor works begin. Digital Access & Youth: Gabon’s move to restrict social media use for under-16s continues to draw scrutiny, as the policy reshapes how young people engage in business, learning and civic life. AI Adoption Benchmark: Microsoft’s AI diffusion report places Tunisia 8th in Africa for generative AI use (13.5%), with Gabon cited among countries at 15.0%, highlighting a wider digital skills gap across the continent.

Cemac Liquidity Boost: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into banks across Cameroon, Congo and Gabon (plus others), via a variable-rate auction at 4.75%, as refinancing demand swung week to week. Gabon’s Industrial Push: CIMAF plans a $45m expansion in Owendo near Libreville, adding a third cement line and clinker capacity ahead of a planned 2027 clinker import ban. AfDB Financing Agenda: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema joined other leaders calling for more private capital for energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, including Gabon’s carbon-credit and eco-tourism push. Maritime Justice in Gabon: A Libreville court convicted Royal Coast Marine and eight defendants over the 2023 Esther Miracle ferry disaster, sentencing them to 38 months and fining them, with victims’ families already signaling an appeal. Digital Rights Debate: Gabon’s move to restrict social media use for under-16s is drawing criticism amid broader concerns about civic space and online entrepreneurship. Youth & Partnerships: African youth leaders met in Moscow for Africa Youth Day 2026, announcing new Russia-Africa cooperation and preparations for a 2027 business expo.

Cemac Liquidity Boost: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into banks across Cameroon, Congo, Gabon and others in a May 25 operation, keeping the offer steady despite shifting demand. AfDB Annual Meetings—Energy, Industry, Climate: Presidents including Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema pushed for more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, with calls to mobilise private capital and scale bankable projects. Gabon Carbon Credits Push: At the AfDB dialogue, Gabon highlighted plans to monetise forest reserves via a national carbon-credit framework and an agency to market credits internationally, linking conservation to eco-tourism and long-term growth. Gabon Cement Race: CIMAF’s Morocco-backed expansion in Gabon—adding a third line at Owendo and clinker capacity—aims to cut import dependence as Gabon prepares to ban clinker imports from January 2027. Russia-Africa Youth Cooperation: African and Russian youth leaders met in Moscow for African Youth Day 2026, announcing programmes including preparations for Russia-Africa Expo 2027. Gabon-Linked Digital Policy: Gabon’s move to restrict social media access for under-16s is criticised as a step away from open civic space, with business and youth activity likely affected. Maritime & Sanctions Risks: Reports highlight how sanctioned oil flows and shadow shipping networks use African flags and offshore transfers, underscoring compliance and trade risks for regional operators.

Digital Rights & Youth: Gabon’s new law bars under-16s from using or creating social media accounts, with limited education exceptions, after earlier platform restrictions during unrest—raising fresh concerns that digital expression is being treated as a security threat. Cemac Liquidity: BEAC injected CFA500 billion into banks across the six-member bloc in a May 25 operation (May 28–June 4), keeping the offer steady despite shifting demand. AfDB Financing Push: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, African leaders—including Gabon’s President Brice Oligui Nguema—called for more investment in energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, urging private capital and bankable projects; Nguema highlighted eco-tourism and a national carbon-credit framework. Gabon Carbon & Forest Economy: Gabon’s carbon-credit push is framed as turning forest conservation into long-term growth, with calls for stronger international compensation for Congo Basin countries. Gabon-Linked Shipping Risk: Iran tightened Strait of Hormuz transit rules, affecting some African-linked tankers and adding uncertainty for regional oil logistics. Microinsurance Expansion: Samb’a Assurances launched in Cameroon as a microinsurance-focused insurer, targeting low-income clients via mobile money and community channels. Cement Investment: CIMAF plans a major expansion in Gabon, including a third production line and clinker capacity, ahead of a planned clinker import ban from January 2027.

Gabon Cement Push: CIMAF plans to invest over $45m in Gabon, adding a third cement line at Owendo near Libreville and expanding clinker capacity—aimed at reducing import dependence as Gabon prepares to ban clinker imports from January 2027. Oil & Gas Investment: BW Energy has approved the Bourdon offshore Gabon development, targeting first oil in Q1 2028, alongside new infill wells in Brazil to lift net production to over 100,000 bopd by 2028. Trade Access: Gabon has been reinstated under the US African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA) after a May 19 proclamation extended the scheme to end-2026, restoring duty-free market access for exporters. Energy Finance Dialogue: At the AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville, Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema backed more private capital for energy, infrastructure and climate finance, including monetising forest conservation via carbon credits. Microinsurance Expansion: Samb’a Assurances launches in Cameroon with low-cost microinsurance plans starting around CFA3,500 per month, using mobile money and local partners to widen financial inclusion. Wildlife & Food Pressure: A new Nature study finds wild meat consumption in Central Africa rose to 1.1m tons by 2022, with 31% of species at extinction risk—raising pressure for better urban demand management.

AfDB Annual Meetings in Brazzaville: Presidents including Gabon’s Brice Oligui Nguema pushed for more private capital for energy, infrastructure, industrialisation and climate finance, with Gabon highlighting eco-tourism and a carbon-credit framework to monetize forest conservation. Gabon trade boost: The US formally extended AGOA to end-2026, reinstating Gabon as a beneficiary after governance progress—good news for exporters that rely on duty-free access. CIMAF cement expansion in Gabon: Morocco’s CIMAF plans over $45m to add a third cement line at Owendo near Libreville and expand clinker capacity, ahead of Gabon’s planned clinker import ban from January 2027. Oil & gas investment: BW Energy took final investment decisions for offshore projects—Bourdon in Gabon and Golfinho in Brazil—targeting first oil in 2028 and lifting production to over 100,000 bopd. Microinsurance in Cameroon: Gabonese Samb’a Assurances launched a Cameroon microinsurance unit with low-cost plans via mobile money and microfinance channels. Wildlife & forests research: A Gabon-hosted RESSAC symposium warned that valuable Central Africa forest research often fails to reach policymakers and practitioners.

Forest Research-to-Policy Gap: Gabon hosted a RESSAC symposium warning that valuable Central African forest science often fails to reach policymakers and practitioners, leaving practical solutions for issues like human-wildlife conflict and forest regeneration stuck in academic circles. Climate Finance Push: In Brazzaville, Congo Basin donors gathered to mobilize $5.32bn for the Blue Fund, targeting 63 projects across ecosystem management, coastal protection, water and sanitation, fishing, tourism, and health-risk prevention. Shipping & Sanctions Pressure: A new look at Russia’s “shadow fleet” says African flags are being used to exploit weak maritime registries, helping evade sanctions and fuel hybrid pressure on NATO-linked infrastructure. Regional Health Alarm: The WHO warns Ebola in the DRC is spreading rapidly, with insecurity and access limits raising fears of wider regional spread. Gabon Business Watch: Morocco’s CIMAF is investing $45m in Gabon’s cement push, as BW Energy moves ahead with offshore growth plans and AGOA trade access is extended through end-2026.