The cooperation between Gabon and China has reached a significant milestone, with China emerging as Gabon's leading commercial partner. According to Ambassador Zhou Ping, the volume of trade between the two countries has reached $3.19 billion, representing an 8.3% increase over the past year. This growth has solidified China's position as Gabon's top trading partner, with the Asian nation absorbing large quantities of Gabon's natural resources, including oil, manganese, and timber.
The partnership between Gabon and China extends beyond trade, with Chinese companies playing a significant role in Gabon's economy, particularly in the forestry sector. Over the past two decades, Chinese operators have evolved from simple buyers to integrated leaders in the value chain, from logging to export. Chinese companies now hold over 50% of the forestry concessions granted by the Gabonese state, with several major companies, such as Hua Jia, a subsidiary of China International Forestry Group Corporation, managing millions of hectares of forest.
The cooperation between Gabon and China has also led to significant investments in the timber industry, with Chinese companies owning and operating over 70% to 80% of the wood processing plants in Gabon, particularly in the Nkok Special Economic Zone. China remains the world's largest customer for Gabon's timber, with the Asian market accounting for 65.6% of Gabon's wood exports. This partnership has contributed to Gabon's economic growth and diversification.
The dynamic cooperation between Gabon and China is also evident in the construction of several infrastructure projects, including roads, hydroelectric dams, and public buildings. Examples of these projects include the Fougamou-Mouila and Lalara-Koumemeyong road sections, the Grand Poubara hydroelectric dam, and the Port-Gentil-Omboué road. These projects have improved the country's infrastructure and facilitated economic growth.
In addition to economic cooperation, Gabon and China have strengthened their ties in the fields of social, cultural, and defense cooperation. Several Gabonese nationals have received training in China, and this cooperation continues, with 2026 declared as the "Year of China-Africa Human and Cultural Exchanges." Nearly 600 Gabonese cadres and students have benefited from seminars and professional training in China, and technical cooperation has been established in areas such as agriculture and satellite-based biodiversity monitoring.
The state visit by Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to China is expected to mark a new chapter in the relations between the two countries, shifting from an extraction-based partnership to one focused on local production and technology transfer. Gabon aims to move beyond being a simple supplier of raw materials and instead become a partner in the production and transformation of its natural resources.
The evolving partnership between Gabon and China is set to continue, with a focus on industrialization, technology transfer, and cooperation in areas such as energy, transportation, and defense. The two countries are committed to strengthening their ties and exploring new opportunities for cooperation, with a view to promoting sustainable development and economic growth in Gabon.
Key points
- The China-Gabon partnership is shifting from extraction to local production and technology transfer.
- China is Gabon's leading commercial partner, with trade between the two countries reaching $3.19 billion.
- Chinese companies play a significant role in Gabon's economy, particularly in the forestry and timber sectors.
