Gabon revokes mining permits and launches national gaming company

The Gabonese government has taken significant steps to assert economic sovereignty through the mining and gambling sectors. The Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources announced the revocation of dozens of mining research and exploitation permits across eight provinces, including Ogooué-Ivindo, Ngounié, and Woleu-Ntem. The decision follows an audit conducted between June and October 2026, which determined that several companies failed to comply with legal and regulatory requirements.

Among the companies losing research permits are Abice Mining Gabon, Afrique Resources, Gabon Gold Mining, and Jin He Mining. Exploitation permit holders affected include SMO, Société des mines et carrières du Gabon, Agil Gabon, and Global Mine Development. The ministry warned that further non-compliance could lead to legal action.

In a separate move, the government officially launched La Gabonaise des Jeux (GDJ) in Libreville. Directed by Roméo Nguema, this new state-owned company aims to centralize the management of gambling and betting activities. The initiative is intended to increase state revenue, improve regulatory oversight, and protect players by shifting control from foreign operators to a national entity.