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Gabon

Photomontage - Illustration: Julien Pacaud © B. Larsson Rosvall/TT News Agency/AFP; N. Economou/NurPhoto/AFP; F. Senna/AFP

In Focus
Gunvor secrets (2/2): the hidden clauses of the Assala Energy buyout

Executives from the Swiss group were decorated with the Gabonese Medal of Merit for financing GOC's preemption of six oil blocks. While the operation was presented as beyond reproach, in reality the situation was more nuanced. In the second episode of this investigation, Africa Intelligence lifts the veil on the final mysteries of this $1bn operation.

Subscribers only Energy 09.09.2025

In Focus
Gunvor secrets (1/2): the Libreville oil mega-deal mystery

In June 2024, the Geneva-based trading company granted a $1bn loan to Gabon Oil Co to nationalise Assala Energy's assets. In exchange, the Swiss company obtained the right to market the barrels of crude extracted from these blocks. Africa Intelligence reveals the behind-the-scenes goings-on in this international business melodrama.

Subscribers only Energy 08.09.2025

Former African Union Commission chairman Moussa Faki in Addis Ababa, 16 February 2025. © Amanuel Sileshi / AFP

Moussa Faki up for possible position at Enko Capital

The former chair of the AU Commission has been in talks for several weeks with the investment fund run by brothers Cyrille and Alain Nkontchou.

Subscribers only Finance, Diplomacy 05.09.2025

Henri-Claude Oyima, at the launch of the Senior Executives Conference in 2024 in Douala, Cameroon. © BGFIBank

Spotlight
The long shadow of the Bongo clan looms over the BGFIBank shareholder battle

The dispute surrounding BGFIBank's IPO has escalated into a legal battle. A group of shareholders linked to French-Gabonese billionaire Christian Kerangall is attempting by all means to derail the operation.

Subscribers only Finance, Politics 01.09.2025

Gabon's then transitional President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema (left) with President Alassane Ouattara at Abidjan's presidential palace, Ivory Coast, 12 April 2024. © Yvan Sonh / Xinhua News Agency / Newscom / MaxPPP

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to visit Bouaké for Independence Day celebrations

The Gabonese president is due in Ivory Coast to join Alassane Ouattara in celebrating the national holiday on 7 August.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 04.08.2025

Eramet working with Libreville to protect its interests

The new CEO of the French mining company, Paolo Castellari, has welcomed a delegation from the Gabonese Ministry of Mines to his factory in Dunkirk. He had previously been received by the Gabonese presidency on 17 July.

Subscribers only Mining 01.08.2025

Denis Sassou-Nguesso reunites the Gabonese Democratic Party in Brazzaville

The Congolese head of state has brought together the two opposing camps vying for control of the PDG, the party founded by Omar Bongo and led by Ali Bongo. His grandson, and son of Omar Bongo, could eventually take control, preserving the family heritage.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 30.07.2025

Tullow Oil finally completes assets disposal to GOC thanks to Gunvor

The sale of Tullow Oil's assets to Gabon Oil Co, with Gunvor as the main financier, has been approved by the Central African Economic and Monetary Community.

Subscribers only Energy 30.07.2025

Burundi prepares to head ECCAS commission

At the end of August, a new commission chaired by Burundi will take office within the Economic Community of Central African States, as the sub-regional institution struggles to gain momentum.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 23.07.2025

Gunvor delays completing financing for GOC's purchase of Tullow's oil assets

The Geneva-based trader is to lend the crucial funds needed for the takeover of Tullow Oil by Gabon's state oil company. But the financial arrangements and bureaucracy in Libreville are slowing down the deal's official announcement.

Subscribers only Energy 17.07.2025

Spotlight
Why Gunvor is dismantling Dubai subsidiary responsible for African deals

The Geneva-based trader has dismissed all of the executives at Gunvor Middle East, which oversees oil trading in Africa. The move is aimed at quietly disconnecting an entity that is exempt from certain compliance requirements, something the group strongly denies.

Subscribers only Energy, Commodity traders 16.07.2025

A Gabon-flagged crude oil tanker passes through the Bosphorus in February 2024.

Last chance saloon for AU commissioner posts

The sub-region is at last set to put forward the joint candidates to take up its two vacant commissioner positions at the African Union. The names submitted up until now have all been thrown out by the Panel of Eminent Africans committee.

Subscribers only Diplomacy 09.07.2025

From Oyo to Haut-Ogooué, a princely wedding awaits Omar Denis Junior Bongo

The wedding of the grandson of Congolese President Denis Sassou-Nguesso and son of the late Gabonese head of state, Omar Bongo, will take place in Congo and then Gabon. A lavish and highly political event that will be attended by several heads of state.

Subscribers only Politics 04.07.2025

Heads of state Touadéra and Oligui Nguema turn on mining seduction operation in Luanda

The Central African and Gabonese heads of state will seek to promote mining investment opportunities in their respective countries during the US-Africa Business Summit on Monday 23 June.

Subscribers only Mining, Diplomacy 19.06.2025

Oyima steps down at top of BVMAC, successor as-yet unknown

The new economy minister is preparing to resign from his other duties, including that of chairman of the Central African Stock Exchange. Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema hopes this post will go to someone from Gabon.

Subscribers only Politics 13.06.2025

Inner circles
The securocrats at the service of Oligui Nguema

A former commander of the Republican Guard, the president has ensured that the elite corps retain its dominance over the rest of the Gabonese army, placing his most loyal men at its head, as well as at the head of the intelligence agencies.

Subscribers only Defence, Politics 06.06.2025

Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Libreville, in September 2023.

Spotlight
From Yaoundé to Dakar, Société Générale's troubled divestments

The sale of almost all of the French bank's subsidiaries across Africa was launched two years ago but has proven more difficult than expected. The group must contend with government manoeuvres to have a say in choosing new owners.

Subscribers only Finance 27.05.2025

Société Générale CEO Slawomir Krupa at the World Economic Forum, Davos, Switzerland, 17 January 2024.

Bongo, Sassou, Oligui: presidential family reunites in Paris

The Congolese and Gabonese heads of state are both currently in Paris. Their trips to the French capital have coincided with that of Noureddin Bongo and his aunt Pascaline Bongo. This maneuvering has led to several very low-key meetings.

Subscribers only Politics, Diplomacy 23.05.2025

President of Congo Denis Sassou-Nguesso in Paris on 23 May 2025.

Obiang reaches out to Oligui after his Mbanié island victory at ICJ

The dispute between Malabo and Libreville at the Hague-based court over Mbanié and the islets of Cocotiers and Conga ended on 15 May in favour of the former. The Equatorial Guinean president plans to consult with his Gabonese counterpart to prepare the next steps.

Free access Diplomacy 23.05.2025

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Gabon

In Focus
Gunvor secrets (2/2): the hidden clauses of the Assala Energy buyout

In Focus
Gunvor secrets (1/2): the Libreville oil mega-deal mystery

Moussa Faki up for possible position at Enko Capital

Spotlight
The long shadow of the Bongo clan looms over the BGFIBank shareholder battle

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to visit Bouaké for Independence Day celebrations

Eramet working with Libreville to protect its interests

Denis Sassou-Nguesso reunites the Gabonese Democratic Party in Brazzaville

Tullow Oil finally completes assets disposal to GOC thanks to Gunvor

Burundi prepares to head ECCAS commission

Gunvor delays completing financing for GOC's purchase of Tullow's oil assets

Spotlight
Why Gunvor is dismantling Dubai subsidiary responsible for African deals

Last chance saloon for AU commissioner posts

From Oyo to Haut-Ogooué, a princely wedding awaits Omar Denis Junior Bongo

Heads of state Touadéra and Oligui Nguema turn on mining seduction operation in Luanda

Oyima steps down at top of BVMAC, successor as-yet unknown

Inner circles
The securocrats at the service of Oligui Nguema

Spotlight
From Yaoundé to Dakar, Société Générale's troubled divestments

Bongo, Sassou, Oligui: presidential family reunites in Paris

Obiang reaches out to Oligui after his Mbanié island victory at ICJ

While awaiting name change, Camp de Gaulle will integrate new schools

Battle brewing to head Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's cabinet

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema eyes gas and oil sector

GOC boss struggles to raise $300m for Tullow Oil takeover

New Economy Minister Oyima determined to also keep job as BGFIBank head

Trump's Africa adviser discusses economy in Libreville

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About Africa Intelligence

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Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Indigo Publications' websites

Faure Gnassingbe

Orano

Michaël Randrianirina

China National Petroleum Corp

Hassan Sheikh Mohamud

Gabon

In Focus Gunvor secrets (2/2): the hidden clauses of the Assala Energy buyout

In Focus Gunvor secrets (1/2): the Libreville oil mega-deal mystery

Moussa Faki up for possible position at Enko Capital

Spotlight The long shadow of the Bongo clan looms over the BGFIBank shareholder battle

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to visit Bouaké for Independence Day celebrations

Eramet working with Libreville to protect its interests

Denis Sassou-Nguesso reunites the Gabonese Democratic Party in Brazzaville

Tullow Oil finally completes assets disposal to GOC thanks to Gunvor

Burundi prepares to head ECCAS commission

Gunvor delays completing financing for GOC's purchase of Tullow's oil assets

Spotlight Why Gunvor is dismantling Dubai subsidiary responsible for African deals

Last chance saloon for AU commissioner posts

From Oyo to Haut-Ogooué, a princely wedding awaits Omar Denis Junior Bongo

Heads of state Touadéra and Oligui Nguema turn on mining seduction operation in Luanda

Oyima steps down at top of BVMAC, successor as-yet unknown

Inner circles The securocrats at the service of Oligui Nguema

Spotlight From Yaoundé to Dakar, Société Générale's troubled divestments

Bongo, Sassou, Oligui: presidential family reunites in Paris

Obiang reaches out to Oligui after his Mbanié island victory at ICJ

While awaiting name change, Camp de Gaulle will integrate new schools

Battle brewing to head Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's cabinet

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema eyes gas and oil sector

GOC boss struggles to raise $300m for Tullow Oil takeover

New Economy Minister Oyima determined to also keep job as BGFIBank head

Trump's Africa adviser discusses economy in Libreville

Create a notification

About Africa Intelligence

Subscription

Africa Intelligence on social media

Indigo Publications' websites

In Focus
Gunvor secrets (2/2): the hidden clauses of the Assala Energy buyout

In Focus
Gunvor secrets (1/2): the Libreville oil mega-deal mystery

Spotlight
The long shadow of the Bongo clan looms over the BGFIBank shareholder battle

Spotlight
Why Gunvor is dismantling Dubai subsidiary responsible for African deals

Inner circles
The securocrats at the service of Oligui Nguema

Spotlight
From Yaoundé to Dakar, Société Générale's troubled divestments