Gabon’s Kobé-Kobé deepwater port: a giant step beyond oil
With the groundbreaking of the Kobé-Kobé deepwater port, Gabon launches one of the most ambitious infrastructure projects in its recent history. Backed by the Belinga iron ore deposit, a new railway line, and the planned Booué hydroelectric dam, this industrial and logistics hub reflects the government’s drive to build an economy less reliant on oil and more focused on local processing of natural resources.
For years dependent on oil revenues, Gabon is now working to diversify its growth drivers. Within this strategy, the Kobé-Kobé project stands as a cornerstone of the new economic model envisioned by the authorities. More than just a port, it represents a vast industrial ecosystem designed to link the country’s mining resources to international markets while maximizing local benefits.
Located on the Atlantic coast in Estuaire province, the future deepwater port will have a draft estimated at 14 to 16 meters, enabling it to accommodate very large vessels. This feature is expected to significantly boost Gabon’s logistical competitiveness amid growing competition among Central African port infrastructures.
An integrated project at the heart of economic transformation
Kobé-Kobé is part of a complete value chain built around several strategic infrastructures. At the center lies the Belinga iron ore deposit, regarded as one of the largest untapped reserves globally.
To transport the ore to the coast, a new railway line will connect the interior to the future port. Additionally, the Booué hydroelectric dam project is expected to supply the energy needed for the mining and industrial complex. This integrated approach aims to move away from the traditional model of raw material exports by promoting local processing.
The strategic agreement signed in April 2026 between the Gabonese state and Africa Global Logistics (AGL) marks a decisive step toward the project’s realization. The stated goal is to create a benchmark logistics platform capable of supporting the country’s industrialization.
Up to 160,000 jobs expected
Beyond infrastructure, one of the main stakes is the project’s social and economic impact. The complex could generate up to 160,000 direct and indirect jobs throughout its development, according to projections.
This outlook sends a strong signal to Gabonese youth facing employment challenges. The needs will span construction, logistics, industry, rail transport, energy, and maintenance sectors.
For the authorities, the aim is to create a ripple effect across the entire national economic fabric by encouraging local businesses to participate in the subcontracting chain.
The realization of an economic sovereignty ambition
Beyond its economic dimension, Kobé-Kobé also carries strong symbolic weight. The project reflects President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s determination to build an economy based more on the valorization of national resources and control over strategic infrastructure.
In a context where economic sovereignty is a major issue for African states, the future mining, energy, rail, and port complex stands as one of the most tangible illustrations of this ambition. If the announced timelines are met, Kobé-Kobé could, by 2030, become one of the main symbols of Gabon’s economic transformation and its entry into the post-oil era.
