The President of the Republic Receives the Founder and Executive Chairman of the Fortescue Group
December 13, 2025
In a meeting with significant implications for Gabon’s economic and environmental future, His Excellency President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema convened with Dr. Andrew Forrest, Founder and Executive Chairman of Australia’s Fortescue Group. The discussions centered on a transformative, integrated development model that could redefine Gabon’s industrial and infrastructure landscape.
The Fortescue Group, a global leader in mining and green energy, presented its vision as a strategic partner. The company’s credentials are formidable: it is not only a top-tier iron ore producer but also a pioneer in decarbonizing heavy industry. Its flagship project, the “world’s first industrial network to operate exclusively on green energy,” demonstrates a commitment to the energy transition that aligns with Gabon’s own environmental stewardship goals. This expertise is critical, as the global market increasingly demands low-carbon, ethically sourced minerals.
The core of the proposal is an integrated industrial ecosystem for the Belinga iron ore project. This is a departure from traditional, siloed development. Instead of a standalone mine, Fortescue’s subsidiary, Iron Ivindo, submitted a holistic plan encompassing:
- The Mine: Extraction and initial processing of iron ore at Belinga.
- The Railway: A new ~500 km heavy-haul line to transport ore from the remote northeast to the coast.
- The Port: The proposed “Kobe-Kobe” deep-water port for export.
- Green Energy: Powering the entire network—mine, rail, and port operations—with renewable sources like hydrogen, solar, or hydropower.
This integrated approach is designed to maximize efficiency, control costs, and ensure the project’s environmental footprint is minimized from pit to port.
President Oligui Nguema’s reported emphasis on the Kobe-Kobe port project underscores its strategic national importance. Beyond serving the mine, a modern deep-water port could become a multi-use trade gateway, stimulating other sectors like agriculture, timber, and regional commerce. The projection of 160,000 direct and indirect jobs highlights the potential for massive economic multiplier effects. These jobs would span construction, operations, maintenance, and a vast supporting services sector, offering crucial opportunities for Gabon’s youth and fostering local skills development.
The President’s directives resulted in an aggressive timeline targeting delivery by 2030. This urgency signals a shared commitment to rapid execution. Success will hinge on sustained collaboration between the Gabonese government and Fortescue, addressing challenges such as financing, detailed environmental and social impact assessments, and local community engagement to ensure benefits are widely shared.
This meeting represents more than a mining deal; it is a potential blueprint for sustainable, value-added industrialization in Africa. By insisting on green energy integration and a comprehensive infrastructure plan, Gabon aims to capture more of the mineral value chain while positioning itself as a leader in responsible resource development.
CP