Gabon's transitional President, Brice Oligui Nguema, has intensified pressure on French mining company Eramet to process manganese locally before export, according to reports from May 2026. The demand aligns with Gabon's broader strategy to increase domestic value addition and reduce reliance on raw material exports.
Eramet operates the Moanda mine in Gabon, one of the world's largest manganese deposits. The company has historically exported most of its production as raw ore, but Oligui Nguema's government is pushing for a shift toward processing within the country to create jobs and boost economic returns.
In a statement, the Gabonese presidency emphasized that the country aims to move up the value chain, with plans to develop local processing facilities. However, Eramet has cited high energy costs and infrastructure challenges as barriers to establishing such operations in Gabon.
Negotiations between the government and Eramet are ongoing, with both sides seeking a compromise that balances Gabon's industrialization goals with the company's operational realities. The outcome could set a precedent for other resource-rich African nations seeking greater control over their natural resources.
