Gabon and South Africa Strengthen Mining Collaboration with Geoscience Agreement. City, Gabon — February 12, 2026 The Republic of Gabon has entered into a significant geoscience collaboration agreement with South Africa, aiming to bolster its mining sector and promote sustainable development of its mineral resources.
The agreement, signed in Cape Town, was inked between the Ministry of Mines and Geological Resources of Gabon and the Council for Geoscience of South Africa.
According to local reports, the agreement reflects Gabon’s strategic move to diversify its economy and harness the full potential of its mining industry, which includes substantial deposits of iron ore, manganese, gold, and other strategic minerals.
The partnership with South Africa, a leading geoscience institution on the continent, is set to modernize Gabon’s geological knowledge base and fortify its mining sector’s institutional framework. At the heart of the collaboration is a commitment to conduct comprehensive geological assessments across Gabon.
The Council for Geoscience will collaborate with Gabonese experts to review existing data, carry out new surveys, and develop updated resource maps. This initiative is expected to provide a clearer understanding of Gabon’s mineral endowment and assist the government in formulating effective strategies for resource commercialization.
The agreement was officially signed by Mr.
Alain Manzanza, Director General of Geology at the Gabonese Ministry of Mines, and Mr. Mosa Mabuza, CEO of the South African Council for Geoscience, in the presence of HE Sosthene Nguema Nguema, Gabon’s Minister of Mines and Geological Resources, and HE Rod Rembendambya, Gabon’s ambassador to South Africa.
Another critical aspect of the partnership is capacity building.
The agreement includes provisions for training programs, technical exchanges, and joint research initiatives aimed at enhancing the skills of Gabonese mining professionals. Through workshops, internships, and collaborative projects, Gabonese geologists and engineers are expected to gain exposure to advanced exploration techniques and international best practices in mineral resource management. Minister Nguema Nguema emphasized that the partnership extends beyond technical cooperation, aiming to strengthen economic ties between Gabon and South Africa.
The agreement is intended to encourage South African mining companies to explore investment opportunities in Gabon, improving geological transparency and regulatory capacity to attract foreign investment. Environmental and technological standards are also integral to the collaboration. Both parties have committed to sharing knowledge on modern mining technologies and evolving environmental regulations, promoting responsible mining practices, and integrating sustainability considerations into project planning.
The agreement aligns with regional efforts to promote intra — African cooperation in the extractive industries. By leveraging South Africa’s extensive experience in mining and geoscience, Gabon is poised to benefit from African expertise while contributing to the continent’s collective development.
According to Minister Nguema Nguema, the partnership is a timely initiative in line with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s directive to increase the mining sector’s contribution to the national economy.
Gabon seeks to enhance its participation in emerging markets and capture greater value from its natural resources with improved geological data and stronger technical capacity. Joint working groups from both institutions are expected to outline a detailed implementation roadmap in the coming months, with early priorities likely including data integration, training schedules, and identification of priority regions for geological surveys.
As the partnership progresses from agreement to action, it has the potential to transform Gabon’s mining industry, marking an important milestone in the country’s efforts to establish a modern, transparent, and sustainable sector.
