Brief on India-Gabon Relations

Political Relations

India and Gabon enjoy warm and friendly relations dating back to the pre-Independence era of Gabon. The relationship is marked by cooperation in various sectors, including agriculture, mining, health and services. Gabonese Embassy in India was established in New Delhi on 4th April 2008. High Commission of India in Gabon was established on 4th September 2024. (Gabon joined the Commonwealth in June 2022).

Visits from Gabon

In March 2018, President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba Visited New Delhi for the International Solar Alliance (ISA) Meet and met Prime Minister on the sidelines. Gabon was among the first countries to sign and ratify the ISA Agreement.

3rd IAFS participation: President of Gabon, Ali Bongo Ondimba led a delegation for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit New Delhi from 16 to 30 October, 2015. In his meeting with Prime Minister Modi during the visit, President Ondimba described Gabon as a promising country in Africa and a gateway to that continent and called for greater Indian investments. He requested for opening an Indian Mission in Libreville and for a high-level visit from India for increased bilateral engagement.

Participation in CII-India Africa Business Conclaves: In June 2023, H.E. Mr. Patrick Taofick MOUGUIAMA DAOUDA, Minister of Higher education, H.E. Mr. Charles MVE ELLAH, Minister of Agriculture, and, H.E. Mr. Hugues Judicael MBANDINGA MADIYA, Minister of Investment Promotion participated in 18th CII-Exim Bank Conclave, New Delhi. In 19-21 June 2022, Minister of State, Minister of Industry H.E. Mr. Pacome Moubelet-Boubeya, Minister of Investment Promotion H.E. Mr. Hugues Mbadinga Madiya and Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Ms Yolande Nyonda visited India for the 17th CII-Exim Bank Conclave. The Minister of State, Minister of Industry of Gabon held a bilateral meeting with Indian Minister of State for Trade and Industry. During the meeting, the two ministers discussed on diversification of trade basket. In March 2011, Deputy Minister for Foreign Affairs, Paul Bunduku Latha participated in the 7th CII-EXIM Bank Conclave on India Africa Project Partnership.

Participation (online) in Voice of Global South Summit (VOGSS): In August 2024, H.E. Hervé BIBA NZENGUE, Secretary-General, Ministry of Petroleum (via recorded message) joined the Energy Vice-Ministers’ Session. In November 2023, H.E. Mays Mouissi, Minister of National Economy Represented Foreign Minister for the FM Session of 2nd VoGSS.

Other Ministerial visits

• From March 22 to 28, 2025, a Gabonese delegation visited India on a prospecting mission to Tata Motors, with a view to acquiring 130 buses to strengthen the fleet of the Gabonese Transport Company (Sogatra). This initiative, carried out under the direction of the Minister of Transport and Merchant Marine, Jonathan Ignoumba, is part of the vision of the President of the Transition, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, aimed at modernizing and revitalizing the public transport sector in Gabon.

• In February 2025, a high level Gabonese delegation led by H. E. ONKANOWA Brigitte, Minister of Defence, Gabon, visited India to participate in the AERO INDIA Show in Bangalore from February 10-14, 2025. During the visit, the Gabonese delegation visited the HAL facility in Bangalore and also held a meeting with Hon’ble Raksha Mantri ji Shri Rajnath Singh.

• In December 2022, H.E. Michel Moussa ADAMO, Minister of Foreign Affairs visited New York for the India’s UNSC Presidency Signature events. The event was chaired by Hon’ble EAM Dr. S. Jaishankar.

• In October 2022, Minister of Foreign Affairs H.E. Michel Moussa ADAMO, visited Mumbai and Delhi. He participated in UN Counter Terrorism Committee meeting hosted by India. Bilateral talks between EAM and FM of Gabon was held.

• In November 2018, the then Foreign Minister Regis Immongault visted India and met with then EAM Mrs. Sushma Swaraj, CIM Mr. Suresh Prabhu, Minister of Steel, Mr. Chaudhary Birender Singh and MoS for Chemicals and Fertilizers, Mr. Rao Inderjeet Singh.

• In June 2017, bilateral talks were held between the then Foreign Minister Pacome Moubelet Bouveya and EAM. The entire gamut of bilateral relations and international issues of mutual concern including cross-border terrorism, climate change was discussed. The focus of the Gabonese side was to invite Indian investments in Gabon in agriculture, information technology, construction and mining. He also invited EAM to visit Gabon. During the visit, a Protocol on Foreign Office Consultations (FOC) was also signed. The first India-Gabon FOC was held on 22 November  2022 in New Delhi.

• In May 2016, Minister of State for Environment and Natural Resources Mr. Crepin Magliore Gwodog took part in a road show organized in India to attract Indian investment.

•  In January 2016, an eight-member delegation led by Mr. Mabina Kombila Edgard, Director Exploration, Ministry of Petrol and Hydrocarbon attended the 4th India Africa Hydrocarbons Conference held in New Delhi.

• In May 2010, Ms. Laure Olga Gondjout, Minister of Communications visited India.

• In December 2009, Minister for Mines, Petroleum and Hydrocarbons, Mr. Julian Nkoghe Bekalen participated in the 2nd India-Africa Hydrocarbons Conference held in New Delhi.

• In November 2007, Ali Bongo Ondimba, then Senior Minister for National Defence of Gabon and incumbent President met Raksha Mantri for bilateral talks and visited the defence training centres and production facilities.

• In May 2007, Minister for Mining, Oil, Energy and Hydraulic Resources, Mr. Richard August and Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cooperation and Regional Integration, Mr. Jean Ping paid a visit to India.

• As part of a prospecting mission to India, a Gabonese delegation led by the Director General of Sougatra - its Transport Company visited India from 22-28 March 2028 and negotiated the acquisition of 130 buses from Tata Motors. Gabon aims to modernize the Sogatra network and ensure a more efficient public service. In addition to improving urban mobility, this initiative will help preserve more than 1,000 jobs and boost the local Economy.

Visits from India

In 30 May – 1st June 2022, Hon’ble Vice President of India (HVPI), Shri M. Venkaiah Naidu paid an Official visit to Libreville, Gabon. HVPI met with the President (Ali Bongo Ondimba), Prime Minister (Ms. Rose Christiane), Foreign Minister (Mr. Michael Moussa Adamo) and the heads of the two Chambers of the Gabonese parliament. During the visit the entire gamut of bilateral relations and global issues of mutual concerns were discussed. Two MOUs were also signed (JCM and MOU between SSIFS and MOFA).  During the visit, a CII-Delegation also visited Libreville and an India-Gabon Business Forum was held. CII signed an MOU for International Co-operation with ANPI (Investment promotion body of Gabon).

Other Ministerial visits:

In December 2020, a virtual bilateral meeting was conducted between Hon’ble MOS V. Muraleedharan & the Foreign Minister of Gabon Mr. Pacome Moubele Boubeya. The two leaders discussed entire spectrum of bilateral relations. Both leaders undertook a detailed review of bilateral ties including the Covid-19 pandemic and possibilities of cooperation in the post-Covid scenario. Both leaders also reviewed the utilization of ITEC slots and finalization of draft MOU for participating in e-VBAB Project. Both leaders also committed to support each other’s candidature at UN & other international forums.

In 16th-17th September 2015, Special Envoy of PM Modi, Sh. Ram Shankar Katheria, MOS [HRD] visited Libreville on 16th-17th September 2015 and handed over the invitation to President Ali Bongo Ondimba for the 3rd India-Africa Forum Summit in New Delhi

Other visits

 In 24-27 September, 2022, Indian Naval Ship INS Tarkash visited Port Gentil, Gabon for a Port Call visit. The Port call was a part of its visit to countries in the Gulf of Guinea (and beyond) for anti-piracy cooperation with the countries of the region. This was also the first ever visit of an Indian Navy Ship to Gabon.

Economic and Commercial Relations

Gabon has large oil reserves, mineral and other natural resources. It is the world’s second largest producer of manganese. In August 2022, the Indian Economic and Trade Organization and the Gabonese Embassy in India launched the India-Gabon Business Council in New Delhi to accelerate the bilateral trade relations.

Major items of Indian export to Gabon are: (i) Meat and Edible Meat OFFAL ($12.5 million) (ii) Nuclear Reactors, Boilers, Machinery and Mechanical Appliances ($9.74 million) (iii) Vehicles other than Railway or Tramway Rolling Stock ($9.59 million) (iv) Plastic & Articles ($6.8 million) (v) Electrical Machinery and Equipment and Parts ($4.5 million). 

Major items of import from Gabon are: (i) Ores, Slag and Ash. ($216.28 million) (ii) Wood and Articles of Wood; Wood Charcoal ($ 98.82 million), (iii)  Animal or Vegetable Fats and Oils and their Cleavage Products ($ 16.59 million), (iv) Iron and Steel ($ 1.44 million) (v) Lead and Articles ($ 1.08 million).  According to available statistics, total bilateral trade between the two countries in the last few years is given below:

Figures in USD Million

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

Development Partnership

In March 2007, GOI approved a Line of Credit of $14.5 million for a housing project in Bikele near Libreville to construct 300 houses and 4 amenities.  

In September 2018, GoI announced a grant-aid of USD one million for Gabon’s project for Strengthening climate information and early warning systems, under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund.

Gabon was among the first 15 African countries to implement the Pan African e-network project. Tele-education, Tele-medicine and VVIP connectivity have been set up in Libreville under this project. Hon’ble MOS V Muraleedharan and the then Gabon’s Foreign Minister reviewed the finalization process the draft MOU on e-VBAB project during their virtual bilateral meet in Dec. 2020. 

Indian Technical and Economic Cooperation (ITEC) Programme

Under the ITEC scheme,  24 ITEC slots have been utilized by Gabon so far. 

Cultural Relations:

On the occasion of the 74th Republic Day of India, a Gujarati Folk Dance Group, Kalapath, visited Libreville on January 31, 2023 (after its tour to DRC and Republic of Congo) and performed in the presence of around 200 people from Indian diaspora, and local Gabonese authorities.  With respect to ICCR scholarships, in the last 5 years, 13 slots had been offered to Gabon. 

Indian Community

There are around 1000-1200 Indians living in Gabon; most of them are engaged mainly in infrastructure projects, agriculture, trading, export of timber and metal scrap, mining, travel and tours etc. Indian Community is welcomed in Gabon and held in high regard.

March 2025