Spotlight | Gabon
General Oligui to put Ali Bongo's Parisian mansion up for sale

Gabon
Oligui Nguema buys two VIP planes

The Gabonese president's office used a broker to discreetly acquire two luxury aircraft for the presidential fleet, which have just been delivered to Libreville.

Gabon
Libreville set to reform mining code

The government will also be auditing the mines ministry with a view to facilitating investment in the sector.

Palace Intrigues
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Bernard Arnault, Félix Tshisekedi, Abdelmadjid Tebboune, Laurent Gbagbo

Intrigues big and small - every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

Gabon Bernard Arnault abandons bid to buy Paris mansion

DRCTshisekedi renews relations with Moïse Katumbi

Algeria Dominique de Villepin's secret tête-à-tête with Abdelmadjid Tebboune

Ivory Coast Ex-president Laurent Gbagbo visits Paris and Brussels

Gabon
Noureddin Bongo's London companies advance to Mayfair

While Noureddin Bongo, son of ousted president Ali Bongo, is been behind bars, and his wife, Léa Bongo, recently left the UK, four of their six London-based companies have suddenly changed address.

Gabon
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to meet with Emmanuel Macron in May

Gabonese transition president, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, with meet with French President Emmanuel Macron at the Elysée Palace after France announced it would review its military presence in Libreville.

Gabon
Motley middlemen meddle in sale of Lagerfeld's long-time mansion

The sale of Paris's Hôtel Pozzo di Borgo - the former home of late designer Karl Lagerfeld now owned by Gabon - is caught in the crossfire between the central African state and its creditors, creating a free-for-all for a slew of self-styled agents.

Alessandro Michele's hush-hush post-Gucci stint at Fendi

In the 14 months between the designer leaving Gucci and joining rival Italian fashion house Valentino, the rumour mill went into overdrive, linking him with a host of big industry names. But in reality, he was discreetly temping with Fendi.

Attempted seizure of Karl Lagerfeld's former Paris mansion just days before Fashion Week

Karl Lagerfeld's former mansion played host to Marni and Victoria Beckham's fashion shows, among others, during the latest Paris Fashion Week. But now a creditor of the Gabonese state, its current owner, is trying to seize the building.

LVMH narrowly wins fight to open new flagship store on Champs-Élysées

In early December, LVMH did its best to impress the commission in charge of commercial development in Paris, but its efforts almost backfired. The luxury giant was trying to secure planning permission for its latest acquisition, an 18,000 m2 site on Paris's most famous street.

What will become of the late Mohamed Al Fayed's Megève chalet and Saint-Tropez villa?

The Egyptian tycoon and proprietor of the Ritz, who died last week at 94, leaves behind a substantial real estate portfolio that includes two sumptuous French properties, in the Alps and on the Côte d'Azur.

Luxury property: Arnault family has a look at Paris's Hôtel de Masseran

The Hôtel de Masseran, acquired by former Ivorian president Félix Houphouët-Boigny in 1978, has been discreetly put on the market for €150m. LVMH boss Bernard Arnault and his son-in-law Xavier Niel have already visited the sumptuous Paris townhouse.