Gabon’s transitional president Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has landed in France for a three-day state visit, marking his second official trip abroad since assuming office.

The high-profile mission aims to deepen bilateral ties between Libreville and Paris across critical sectors such as investment, infrastructure, energy transition, industrialization, culture, and trade.

Accompanied by a delegation that includes business leaders, political figures, and journalists, the Gabonese head of state will hold talks with French President Emmanuel Macron.

A key topic on the agenda is the local processing of manganese—a mineral Gabon ranks among the world’s top producers. Libreville plans to halt raw ore exports by 2029 to foster domestic value addition and industrial growth.

Defense cooperation will also feature prominently, with discussions expected on renewing military partnerships and the future of Camp De Gaulle, Gabon’s French military base. France has scaled down its troop presence in Gabon from about 1,200 to around 100 as part of a broader reconfiguration of its African military footprint.