Gabon secures €40m Moroccan investment for Owendo cement plant upgrade
Historic agreement boosts Gabon’s construction sector
On May 20, 2026, at the Palais Rénovation in Libreville, Anas Sefrioui, CEO of Ciments de l’Afrique (CIMAF), and Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Gabon’s transitional president, formalized a landmark €40 million investment deal. The funds will modernize the Owendo cement plant by adding a third production line, directly addressing the surging local demand for construction materials driven by the country’s expanding infrastructure projects.
A new era for Gabon’s industrial landscape
The partnership goes beyond mere financial infusion. The Gabonese government has announced plans to increase its stake in the local subsidiary to 20%, building on a 10% acquisition finalized in December 2025. This strategic move grants Libreville direct oversight over operations, aligning with the nation’s 2023 economic doctrine that reimagines major foreign investments as shared national ventures.
CIMAF’s pivot toward Africa
For CIMAF, this collaboration underscores a broader strategic shift. The Moroccan cement giant is steadily withdrawing from Europe, as evidenced by the simultaneous divestment of its last French facility. With European markets stagnant and regulatory pressures intensifying, the company is channeling resources toward Africa, where urbanization and infrastructure gaps—from roads to housing—continue to widen.
Morocco’s expanding footprint in Central Africa
This deal also highlights a shift in Morocco’s economic influence. While longstanding ties have anchored Moroccan firms in West Africa, private sector giants are now deepening their presence in Central Africa, particularly in industrial sectors. For Gabon, traditionally reliant on oil revenues, this public-private partnership serves as a testing ground for industrial diversification, merging Moroccan private capital with Gabonese governance and regional economic integration.
