Lead

Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema has been in Angola on a state visit, seeking to convince Angolan investors to consider opportunities in Gabon. At an economic roundtable that brought together business leaders from both countries, Oligui Nguema outlined reforms his government has undertaken since the political transition in August 2023. The visit culminated in the signing of three new agreements between Angola and Gabon, aimed at deepening collaboration in key economic sectors.

Coverage Comparison

Africa News reported on the two-day visit, highlighting both the economic and diplomatic dimensions. Coverage of the economic roundtable focused on Oligui Nguema's direct appeal to Angolan investors, while separate reporting on the outcome of the visit emphasized the signing of new agreements and the broader regional cooperation context. Both reports noted that Angola and Gabon are oil-producing nations that face significant economic challenges, including high levels of poverty and debt, and are seeking to diversify their economies.

Key Claims

  • Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema sought to convince Angolan investors to visit Gabon during an economic roundtable that brought together business leaders from both countries.
  • Gabon has streamlined procedures and revised its mining and petroleum codes, as Oligui Nguema explained: "I was saying since the 30 August 2023 [date of the coup in Gabon: ed] we have streamlined our procedures, we have revised the mining code and the petroleum code. There are two types of investment in our country, either in PPP [Public Private Partnership] or in BOT [Build-Operate-Transfer], depending on the model you choose."
  • Angola and Gabon signed three new agreements to deepen collaboration in key economic sectors, announced during a high-level meeting in Luanda between President João Lourenço and President Oligui Nguema.
  • Gabon wants to benefit from Angola's experience in tourism, agriculture, and other industries, as the country pushes to reduce its dependence on oil revenues. "We also discussed diversified partnerships. As you know, Angola and Gabon are oil-producing countries, but in Gabon we also need to move away from dependence on oil revenues," Oligui Nguema said. "We also want to strengthen our capacity in oil production."
  • Angolan President João Lourenço praised Gabon's political transition under Oligui Nguema, saying the country's efforts to restore constitutional order had positive implications for the continent. "Fortunately, the Gabonese authorities led by Brice Oligui Nguema, who had this vision of restoring constitutional order, have brought gains to Gabon, gains to Africa as well," Lourenço said. "It is everyone who has benefited from the stance that Gabon has taken."

Perspectives

Gabonese government: President Oligui Nguema emphasized the reforms his administration has implemented to attract investment, including streamlined procedures and revised mining and petroleum codes. He expressed interest in learning from Angola's experience in tourism, agriculture, and other non-oil sectors, while also seeking to strengthen Gabon's capacity in oil production.

Angolan government: President Lourenço lauded Gabon's political transition under Oligui Nguema, framing it as a positive development for the continent. Angola's investment agency organized the economic roundtable, signaling a commitment to building a bilateral strategic partnership with Gabon.