Gabon: Transport Minister Inspects Mayumba Port Project Progress. Mayumba, Gabon — Gabon’s Transport Minister, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, recently visited the Mangali lagoon port site at Mayumba to inspect the progress of Phase-1 construction.
The project, under the oversight of the Office des Ports et Rades du Gabon (OPRAG), is seen as a crucial step in establishing a regional maritime logistics hub.
According to local reports, the Mangali/Mayumba port project is designed to become a significant deep-sea gateway for Central African commerce, leveraging the site’s naturally deep waters that can accommodate very large vessels with minimal dredging. This positioning aims to bolster regional trade and logistics near the Congo border.
The Mayumba site has been promoted as a strategic maritime location, with the potential to serve as a deep — sea port for Central Africa.
The project’s advancement is part of a broader infrastructure push in the region, which includes the recent inauguration of an 8. 5 MW gas-fired power plant on January 25, 2026. This power plant, a partnership between the Gabonese State, Gabon Power Company, and Perenco, is intended to stabilize local power and support economic activities.
Senior officials, including the Energy Minister Philippe Tonangoye and OPRAG DG Martin Boguikouma, were present at the energy project’s inauguration, signaling strong government backing for infrastructure development in the area. While social media and promotional content depict the port as a flagship revival project, providing limited verifiable detail, the project’s strategic trade hub narrative and logistics-for-energy narrative are gaining traction. Advocates argue that Mayumba’s natural depth and location make it a prime candidate for a key deep-sea gateway for Central African commerce.
The government has not yet commented on the technical specifications, financing, and timelines for the port’s Phase-1 progress.
However, the presence of senior officials and the recent energy project inauguration suggest a commitment to advancing infrastructure in the region. Further details are expected as the project progresses.
The government’s support for the port and energy projects in Mayumba indicates a strategic focus on enhancing regional maritime logistics and energy sovereignty.
*Additional reporting by ImNews | Sources consulted: 5*
