H.E Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon, met with his counterpart H.E Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, during a state visit to Malabo the capital of Equatorial Guinea on 18 January 2023.

Upon his arrival, President Ali Bongo Ondimba was received by the Vice President of Equatorial Guinea, H.E. Nguema Obiang Mangue, before engaging in discussions with his counterpart. During this official visit, the two presidents discussed the promotion of trade between the two countries and cooperation in the areas of security and energy.

With the common objective of increasing regional cooperation in order to develop the socio-economic sector, discussions between the two counterparts covered various topics such as intra-African trade, regional integration, improved security and regulation, to enable both countries to aim for accelerated growth in several sectors of their economies.

This state visit comes at a key moment in the growth objectives of both states, not only for Gabon, with its fast-growing economy, but also for Equatorial Guinea, which is actively working to become an impactful regional energy hub.

For months, Equatorial Guinea has been building a new momentum for industrialization and intra-African energy trade, with the ambition of becoming a regional gas mega-hub through monetization of offshore resources, as well as resource pooling in regional basins. As such, this state visit sets the tone for greater regional integration, with discussions focused on advancing regional trading systems and improving regulatory efficiency. The Presidents also discussed the progress of the collaborative system and how it will help advance relations and overall intra-African trade between Equatorial Guinea and Gabon.

The CAPS project was also discussed! H.E. Gabriel Obiang Lima, Minister of Mines and Hydrocarbons of Equatorial Guinea, presented to his H.E. Ali Bongo Ondimba, President of Gabon and to H.E. Teodoro Obiang Nguema Mbasogo, President of Equatorial Guinea, the CAPS project of the first Central African Pipeline System. This project, for which CABEF works on a daily basis, will benefit the 11 countries of CEMAC, as it includes three multinational pipeline networks that will connect and supply several Central African countries with hydrocarbons.

It is encouraging to see that following these meetings, the President of Gabon and the President of Equatorial Guinea have both committed to further strengthening their relationship. CABEF gladly supports this brilliant visit, which opens the door to many opportunities. This visit is the first of many that will boost South-South collaborations to a higher level that will benefit the sub-region!