As part of a national strategy to boost the local industry and reduce dependency on the export of unprocessed resources, Gabon plans to stop exporting raw manganese by 2029. This move has been announced by the government as part of its efforts to transform the economy. Alongside oil and timber, manganese is one of Gabon’s main sources of revenue, with output reaching 4.6 million metric tonnes in 2024.
Gabon, the world’s second-largest producer of manganese, whose output reached 4.6 million metric tons in 2024, aims to stop exporting unprocessed manganese by 2029. By ending exports of raw manganese, Gabon aims to develop its domestic processing capacity, create skilled jobs and extract more value from its natural resources. A public-private investment fund is being planned to support the transition with the authorities giving the industry three years to invest in local processing facilities.
“Gabon’s strategic decision to stop exporting raw manganese by 2029 is an important one. It will help stimulate the local semi-processing industry, create manganese processing companies and export value-added manganese, thereby creating jobs in Gabon”.
Honoré Mondomobé, Economist – Cameroon
Manganese is one of Gabon’s main exports, along with oil and timber, and plays an important role in the country’s economy. The government aims to diversify the economy away from oil and increase the contribution of the mining sector, including manganese, to more than 30% of GDP over the next 15 years.
“Initially, this may result in lost revenue, but the implementation of this decision should create jobs in various industrial sectors processing manganese, whether semi-finished or finished. It could also attract foreign investors to set up in Gabon to add value to Gabonese manganese”.
Honoré Mondomobé, Economist – Cameroon
In 2024, Gabon accounted for 63% of US imports of manganese ore, according to official figures. However, despite its natural wealth, around a third of Gabon’s 2.3 million inhabitants still live in poverty. This underlines the government’s objective of industrialising and adding more value to its resources for a better redistribution of national wealth.
