Gabon
Paris law firm Betto recruits a former Addax executive close to the Bongos

The New Guard
Nigeria, Senegal, Gabon, Burundi

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

NigeriaAsuquo Ekpenyong, the young, well-connected Cross River senator

SenegalAlbert Diatta, Dakar's low-profile private security expert

GabonDina Koussou, Libreville's new communications specialist

BurundiAppolinaire Nishirimbere takes on the private sector

Gabon
Defence ministry faces arbitration over unpaid MINUSCA bill

A seven-year unpaid bill could see the Gabonese state dragged before a court in London. Sovereign Global Solutions has sought conciliation, one step away from arbitration.

Gabon
Panoro puts faith in technical country manager with political connections

The junior oil company listed on the Oslo Stock Exchange seems happy to hire technical-savvy managers who bring with them family connections to the local authorities, as it has done with its latest recruit in Gabon.

Congo, Gabon
Chirac's former justice minister Perben tours African palaces

Dominique Perben, who was a government minister throughout Jacques Chirac's presidency from 1995 to 2007, has been in Central Africa for over a week.

Spotlight | Nigeria
Relations with Beijing cool over Addax ouster

Abuja's decision to remove the Chinese oil firm over a tax dispute has prompted complaints and threats of litigation. The four blocks previously exploited by Addax have been transferred to two Nigerian firms.

Gabon
On Sylvia Bongo's birthday, first couple travel to the Maldives

Syvia Bongo and Ali Bongo flew to the Maldives last week to celebrate the first lady's 11 March birthday on the islands. On the way, the presidential couple stopped over in Dubai.

Spotlight | Gabon
How Ali Bongo staged his comeback

Above and beyond the announcement of a government reshuffle, the purpose of the two speeches given by Ali Bongo on 8 June was to demonstrate that he was once again in full possession of his faculties, eight months after suffering [.

Gabon
Laccruche Alihanga's growing influence at the palace

The 38-year-old Brice Laccruche Alihanga, who is Ali Bongo's chief of staff and head of his political committee within the [...]

Spotlight | Gabon
The reasons behind GOC’s fall into the abyss

Placed in administration by Gabon’s presidential office at the end of September (AEI 755), the state-owned Gabon Oil Co (GOC), symbol of president Ali Bongo’s new oil strategy, has proved to be a complete bust.

Spotlight | Gabon
Ngoubou gets the better of Addax

Taking over as oil minister in February, 2012, Etienne Ngoubou succeeded in making himself indispensable to president Ali Bongo and his chief-of-staff Maixent Accrombessi. And he has finally won the tug of war he began a year ago with China’s [.