Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema inaugurated the Ngongui oil field, marking a key step in the country’s energy sovereignty strategy. Located in the Ogooué-Maritime province, this project immediately adds 10,000 barrels per day to national production, or approximately 3.84 million barrels per year.

A Turning Point for Reclaiming Resources

This inauguration, which took place on April 11 or 12, 2026, in Gamba, symbolizes the State’s increased control over its oil assets. It follows the strategic acquisition of the Assala company in June 2024, allowing Gabon to capture a larger share of oil revenue for the public treasury.

With estimated reserves of 350 million barrels, Ngongui brings daily national production to over 60,000 barrels. This operational gain strengthens macroeconomic stability and supports the ambitions of the Fifth Republic, launched in August 2023.

Economic Impacts and Outlook

Beyond the immediate increase in production, the Ngongui field acts as a catalyst for industrial investment. The generated cash flow should finance local processing infrastructure and accelerate the diversification of GDP, which remains heavily dependent on hydrocarbons.

The government is counting on this multiplier effect to create sustainable jobs and stabilize the economy. Maintaining high operational performance at the site also enhances the attractiveness of the Gabonese sedimentary basin for future projects.

Sectoral Context in Gabon

The Gabonese oil sector is experiencing positive momentum, illustrated by the performance of BW Energy on other fields such as Dussafu. By 2025, this Norwegian company had produced several million barrels off the Gabonese coast, confirming the country’s potential.

Ngongui is part of this recovery, with a patriotic vision that prioritizes sovereignty and inclusive growth. In the medium term, a pipeline of projects should support this trajectory.

A signal for Central Africa

This development positions Gabon as a key player in the Central African energy sector. By optimizing its extractive resources, the country sends a message of confidence to investors and secures the fiscal space for its economic transition.

The inauguration of Ngongui by Oligui Nguema consolidates Gabon’s energy sovereignty and opens up prospects for growth. This project could transform the local economy by stimulating industry and employment, while laying the foundations for successful diversification.