Gabon addresses biopiracy concerns regarding sacred Iboga plant

Gabon is facing a significant debate over the biological sovereignty and protection of Iboga, a sacred plant central to spiritual traditions like Bwiti. Former Environment Minister Lee White has raised concerns regarding decades of biopiracy, alleging that Iboga and its seeds were illegally extracted from Gabon to establish plantations in countries including Costa Rica, Brazil, Cameroon, and China.

Following an investigation by The Guardian in October 2026, White has called for an equitable sharing of benefits with Gabonese communities that hold the ancestral knowledge associated with the plant. He noted that while previous extractions were largely illegal, a 2022 initiative involving a local village cooperative aimed to establish a legal framework compliant with the Nagoya Protocol.

The plant's primary alkaloid, ibogaine, is currently attracting international scientific interest for its potential role in treating addictions and certain psychological disorders. However, experts emphasize that clinical research is still in preliminary stages.