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, services trade and economic development. Gabonese Embassy in India (presently High Commission) 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 though it is a French speaking country.

Visits from Gabon

VVIP level Visits: 

(i) ISA: 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.

(ii) 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.

Engagement during CII and VOGSS:  

Participation in CII-India Africa Business Conclaves: Ms. Diana Elvie MFONO HOUNGLA, Director of the Ministry of Digitalization led the Gabonese Government delegation at the 20th Edition of the CII India-Africa Business Conclave during 27-29 August 2025 in New Delhi. 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. 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 recent Important visits/interactions (of Ministerial level and below):

• Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Charles Hubert Bekale Meyong participated in the IFR (International Fleet Review) & MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam, India from February 15-21, 2026. 

• In December 2025, a four-member delegation led by Mr. Owono Essono Germain, DDG, Mr. VENANT MELGAR Z NTOUGOU, Mr. JEAN ETOUGOU NDONG, Mr. JUSTIN EYA NDONG, from Ministry of Culture visited New Delhi to attend the 20th Session of the UNESCO Inter-Governmental Committee Meeting in which ‘The Mvett Oyeng’ (musical instrument) officially became the first Gabonese cultural element inscribed on the representative list of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity. 

• 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 were held.

Visits from India

VVIP level Visits: 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 (on holding JCM and cooperation 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 Investment Co-operation with ANPI (Investment promotion body of Gabon).

Other important visits/interactions (of Ministerial level and below):

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.

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. 

In 16th-17th September 2015, Sh. Ram Shankar Katheria, MOS [HRD], as the Special Envoy of Hon’ble Prime Minister of India, 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.

Economic and Commercial Relations

Gabon has vast resources of oil, manganese and other mineral and 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.

Investment: Indian/ Indian origin investment in Gabon is estimated at approximately USD 2.5 billion in the areas of Telecom, Mining, Agriculture, Energy, Wood processing, Pharmaceuticals, Infrastructure and Retail services. The major investors include AIRTEL, OIL, AFCONS, La Sante Pharma, OLAM, AOM Group, Alpha Centauri Mining, Nouvelle Gabon Mining, Green Ply, Gabon Wood Industry and ReGabon

MOIL Led Delegation to Gabon: An Indian Business delegation comprising of Mining and Steel PSU Companies (MOIL, SAIL, NDMC) visited Gabon during August 11-13, 2025 and had fruitful interaction with H.E Minister of Mines and H.E Minister of Foreign Affairs on mutual opportunities for collaboration, including for investment. MOIL delegation had earlier visited Gabon in March 2024. 

Trade: Major items of Indian export to Gabon in FY 2024-25 were: (i) Motor Vehicle/Cars ($ 17 Million), (ii) Buffalo Meat ($ 14 Million), (iii) Residual Chemical and Allied Products ($ 6 Million), (iv) Electric Machinery & Equipment ($ 6 Million), (v) Other Construction Machinery ($ 4 Million), 

Major items of Indian imports from Gabon are: (i) Bulk Minerals and Ores ($ 207 Million), (ii) Plywood And Allied Products ($ 84 Million), (iii) Vegetable Oils ($ 19 Million), (iv) Iron And Steel ($ 2 Million), (v) Lead And Products Made of Lead (2 Million).

According to available statistics, total bilateral trade between the two countries in the last five years is given below:

Figures in USD Million

Source: Ministry of Commerce and Industry, Government of India

Development Partnership

LOC Projects: 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.  

Through UN/IBSA Partnerships: 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. The project has since been completed. On May 26, 2025, the Gabonese government, the United Nations Development Program (UNDP), Fund launched an ambitious project from the IBSA Fund to enhance the cassava value chain. With $1 million in funding, this initiative aims to empower youth and women, strengthen food sovereignty, and promote the "Made in Gabon" label through innovative South-South cooperation.

Others: 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. 

Cooperation in Healthcare: The MA Banniere foundation in Gabon, headed by the first Lady Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA is in partnership with MERCK Foundation in India for enhancing health care capacity in Gabon, in the areas of infertility & Oncology and to address critical social and health challenges. They have started to enroll Gabonese doctors for the scholarship program under which 3 doctors from Gabon were sent to India during September/October 2025. 

Training and Capacity Building:

Under the ITEC scheme, 10 (Ten) out of 10 (Ten) ITEC slots initially allocated to the Mission have been utilized by Gabon so far for the year 2025-26. Also, 5 (five) Gabonese Diplomats have undergone a special course for Diplomats from Central and West Africa region at SSIFS, New Delhi from 16-25 July 2025 under the 3rd Global South Young Diplomats Forum Program. 

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. Five ICCR scholarships have been offered for the year 2026-27. 

On 21 June 2025, the High Commission organized the first official celebrations of the International Day of Yoga in Gabon at the iconic venue of La Baie Des Rois witnessing participation of important dignitaries from the Gabonese Government, diplomats, International Organisations and the Indian diaspora. Around 100 persons participated.

The 79th Independence Day celebrations on 15th August 2025 and the 77th Republic Day Celebrations on 26th January 2026 were organized on a grand scale with around 200 participants on each occasion. Mass Singing of Vande Mataram was held on the occasion of 77th Republic Day at the Mission premises.  

Indian Community

There are around 1000-1200 Indians living in Gabon; most of them are engaged 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.

April 15, 2026