Overview of the Extractive Industries

Gabon has been a major oil producer for many decades. Historically, oil revenues accounted for approximately 60% of the government's budget, more than 40% of GDP, and 75% of export earnings. Despite holding Sub-Saharan Africa's third largest oil reserves, oil preeminence in Gabon's economy is expected to decline due to maturing oil fields. Gabon has reformed its legislation to provide incentives for exploration and development, a measure which has attracted new players.

Gabon is also the third largest producer of manganese and holds a quarter of the world's known reserves of this mineral. Manganese is Gabon's third-largest source of export earnings after oil and timber. Gabon is considered a potential source of other minerals, but commercial exploitation has not started.

Status of EITI Implementation

At its meeting in Amsterdam on 9 June 2011, the EITI International Board decided to renew Gabon's EITI Candidate status for 18 months (until 9 December 2012), by which time Gabon will be required to have completed an EITI Validation that demonstrates compliance with the 2011 edition of the EITI Rules.

On 20 October 2010, the EITI Board designated Gabon, as an EITI Candidate country that is “Close to Compliant”. As set out in EITI Policy Note #3, the designation of "close to compliant" applies in cases where the EITI Board considers that a Candidate country has not only made meaningful progress, but can reasonably be expected to achieve Compliance within a short period. Gabon was granted six months (until 18 April 2011) to complete the remedial actions needed to achieve compliance. The Board retained the right to require a new validation if the remedial actions are not completed within the next six months. For more information on this decision, refer to the minutes from the Dar Es Salaam Board Meeting.

On 8 March 2010 Gabon applied to extend their deadline for completing EITI Validation. The EITI Board agreed to grant Gabon an extension. Peter Eigen sent a letter to the President conveying the Board's decision. The country had until 9 September 2010 to complete Validation. The final Validation report was submitted to the Board on 9 July 2010.

In December 2005, the Government of Gabon published its first EITI report, which covers information from 2004. However, this report did not provide information on the Government's share of profit oil, which according to estimates might be as much as half of total oil revenue. The Government of Gabon published its second EITI report on its website in April 2007. The third EITI report was published in March 2008. Work on the fourth and fifth reports covering exercises 2007 and 2008 as well as 2009 and 2010 is underway.

Gabon was accepted as an EITI Candidate Country on 27 September 2007.

On 28 July 2004, Paul Toungui, Minister of Economy, Finance, and Budget of Gabon informed the World Bank of his country's commitment to adhere to the EITI, and requested technical assistance for its implementation.

Governance of EITI implementation

The EITI Interest Group (the national committee) is the multi-stakeholder group in charge of implementation and follow-up of the EITI in Gabon. Mr. Ange Macaire Longho is the National Coordinator.

Gabon EITI National Coordinator

Mr Ange Macaire Longho
President of the EITI Interest Group
amlongho [at] yahoo [dot] fr
Tel. +(241)06 10 66 79 / +(241) 07 13 70 91

Companies operating*

Oil & gas companies: Hess Corp*, Shell*, TOTAL*, Marathon*, Petronas, Sasol, Sinopec, Maurel & Prom, Tullow Oil, Vanco Energy.

Mining companies: Vale*, Codelco (Chile), Comilog, Sinosteel, SouthernEra Diamonds

* EITI Supporting Company

* Note: Company list based on EITI research and is not conclusive

Further information about the status of EITI implementation in Gabon can be provided by Regional Director Tim Bittiger at the EITI International Secretariat.