Gabon’s President discusses investments in tourism, services, and infrastructure with the Spanish Ambassador

Eduardo González The President of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, met this past Monday in Libreville with the Spanish Ambassador, Rafael Chaves Beardo, to discuss, among other topics, investment opportunities in sectors such as tourism, services, and infrastructure. According to the African Press Agency (APA), the President addressed investment opportunities in Gabon for Spanish companies, especially in the context of the diversification of the national economy. The discussions focused on strengthening partnerships in the tourism, services, and infrastructure sectors, as well as the shared desire to consolidate economic and institutional cooperation between Libreville and Madrid. For his part, the Ambassador reaffirmed Spain's commitment to supporting Gabon in its efforts to modernize and promote sustainable development. According to APA, since coming to power in 2023, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema has increased diplomatic initiatives aimed at diversifying Gabon's partnerships and attracting new investors. "These exchanges are part of the policy of opening up and repositioning the country on the international stage." Bilateral relations between Spain and Gabon, according to the Diplomatic Information Office (OID), can be described as good and without points of friction. Spain appointed its first Ambassador to Libreville in 1963. However, although political relations are good, they have traditionally suffered from a lack of visits in either direction that would bring greater dynamism and visibility to the bilateral relationship. The coup d'état of August 2023 slowed down bilateral relations. The first meeting between the Spanish ambassador and General Oligui Nguema and his team took place on November 17, 2023. Since then, several Gabonese ministers have visited Spain to participate in forums and conferences. The highest-level visit by a Spanish official after the coup was that of the Director General for Africa, Ximena Bartolomé, who represented Spain at President Oligui's inauguration ceremony on May 3, 2025. In the economic sphere, the number of Spanish companies operating in the country has been steadily declining. The sectors in which Spanish companies have the greatest presence are construction (Acciona Gabon, Narváez, Marina Group), tourism (Chica Viajes, Gabon Untouched), and consulting (Martinez Consulting). The most significant company in the country is Acciona Gabon, a subsidiary of Acciona Infrastructures. Its activity has declined in recent years due to the reduction in government public investment. Despite this, some of its infrastructure projects stand out, such as the road between Lambarene and Fougamou and the Ibundji and Malinga micro-hydroelectric plants. The company maintains a significant debt (in some cases from projects in 2006, 2007, and 2008) with the Gabonese state. The trade balance with Gabon has traditionally been in Spain's favor, mainly due to Spanish imports of Gabonese oil. The size of the deficit fluctuates depending on the price of this commodity.

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