Gabon President Brice Oligui Nguema Secures €312 million Railway Deal During State Visit to France

President Brice Oligui Nguema led a state visit to France that included meetings with French officials, the French Senate President and local consuls. The trip culminated in the signing of a €312 million financing agreement between Proparco, the French Development Agency’s private arm, the International Finance Corporation and Gabon's railway operator to upgrade the Trans‑Gabonais line, a project that accounts for about 20 % of Gabon's GDP.

The agreement aims to boost rail capacity and reliability for mineral transport, “improving the value chain and creating a more efficient logistics network,” said Christelle Bourbon‑Séclet of Proparco. Additional cooperation protocols were signed on urban transport, ecological transition, waste management and the local processing of manganese, reinforcing ties between Libreville and Paris.

The delegation also held a public marathon‑style event in Paris, meeting with Gabonese expatriates and consular officials to discuss their role in supporting citizens abroad and encouraging return migration.