GABON

Gabon's Owendo Container Terminal Accelerates Port Transformation

With the arrival of new state-of-the-art Terberg port tractors, the operational fleet at Owendo Port has expanded from 24 to 28 units, significantly enhancing cargo transfer capacity between the terminal, warehousing areas, and logistics zones.

For Gabon, where large volumes of manganese, processed timber, mineral products, and other goods are exported via Owendo Port, the modernization of port infrastructure represents a major economic challenge.

The modernization of Owendo Port is taking place amid profound changes in African trade corridors. The gradual implementation of the African Continental Free Trade Area is reshaping trade routes and prompting countries to strengthen logistics infrastructure construction in order to capture an increasing share of regional trade.

Housing Revolution in Gabon

The Belambra residential project in the Akanda district is already showing initial results. Two buildings have reached the main structural phase, comprising 52 apartments and 4 commercial spaces. The project has been well-received, with nearly 70% of the first-phase units already booked.

The General Manager of ADDOHA Gabon confirmed that nine new buildings have commenced construction, further accelerating the project timeline.

The project will eventually deliver 500 two-bedroom and three-bedroom apartments, designed to meet the housing needs of Gabonese families based on their size and economic capacity. The first homes are expected to be delivered by the end of 2026, a timeline applicable to the first completed buildings, with subsequent phases following progressively.

The Belambra residential project extends far beyond the initial 500 housing units. It represents the first phase of an agreement signed between the Gabonese government and Morocco's ADDOHA Group on February 13, 2025, aiming to build 5,000 social housing units over seven years.

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REPUBLIC OF THE CONGO

Congo Launches Forest Inventory Covering Over One Million Hectares

On July 20, Rosalie Matondo, Minister of Forest Economy of the Republic of Congo, officially launched a pre-investment forest inventory for nine formerly concessioned forest areas that have been taken back by the state. This operation, covering more than one million hectares across five provinces, aims to gain an in-depth understanding of forest resources to serve as a basis for future reallocation of these forest lands to environmentally compliant investors.

The authorities regard this action as a major initiative, marking a new phase in the Republic of Congo's policy to strengthen forestry governance and ensure sustainable forest resource management.

The operation is planned to last nearly five months. For the government, this field survey reflects the country's determination to more effectively assess its forest assets. Minister Rosalie Matondo noted that these concessions were taken back because the previous holders failed to fulfill contractual obligations and comply with legal requirements.

The repossession of these concessions paves the way for a new governance model based on transparency, accountability, and sustainable forest resource development. According to the Minister, this move also sends a strong signal to investors: although the Republic of Congo remains open to investment in the forestry sector, investors must strictly comply with national laws and contractual obligations, and respect environmental protection standards as well as the rights of local communities and indigenous peoples.

Power Shortages Hamper Congo's Timber Industry Development

In the forest-rich Sangha Department, Minister of Industrial Development, Special Economic Zones, and Private Sector Promotion Michel Djombo visited the processing plant of IFO (Industrielle Forestière de l'Ouesso) company.

IFO occupies a strategic position in the Republic of Congo's forestry landscape. Its Sangha plant is designed to drive the country's move up the value chain, transitioning away from raw log exports towards more profitable finished timber products. However, according to company management, unstable electricity supply is hindering this development process. They reported to the Minister that frequent power outages and insufficient supply have become major obstacles to equipment modernization and capacity expansion.

Every grid disruption causes production line stoppages, and each stoppage results in measurable losses. Production rhythms are disrupted, operating costs rise, and investment considerations change – with no consideration given to acquiring more advanced equipment. In an industry where operational continuity is a prerequisite for competitiveness, fluctuations in power supply represent a structural constraint on companies' development capacity.

The economic viability of timber processing depends on scale and reliability. If sawmills or secondary processing lines are frequently halted, heavy machinery cannot be effectively amortized, and there is no confidence to conduct long-term production sufficient to justify capital investment. Therefore, the company management emphasized that stable and reliable electricity is a necessary foundation for promoting local deep processing of timber resources.

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GHANA

Ghana's Ministry of Natural Resources Restores 23,600 Hectares of Degraded Land

Minister for Lands and Natural Resources, Emmanuel Armah-Kofi Buah, announced that through the government's "Tree for Life Restoration Initiative," the Ministry has successfully restored 23,600 hectares of degraded land.

The Minister also highlighted Ghana's progress in sustainable timber management, announcing that a total of 411 FLEGT (Forest Law Enforcement, Governance and Trade) licenses were issued in the first half of 2026. He stated that this achievement consolidates Ghana's status as the first African country to receive EU approval for its timber certification system.

Additionally, the Ministry has deployed 2,719 "Youth Forest Champions" to support nursery cultivation, forest restoration, and conservation efforts across the country.

A Strategic Partnership Forum Held in Ghana

On July 21, the Forestry Commission of Ghana and the Global Timber Index (GTI) platform jointly organized a one-day Strategic Partnership Forum to discuss industry opportunities, challenges, and emerging trends.

Richard Gyimah, Executive Director of the Timber Industry Development Division at the Forestry Commission, stated that challenges such as climate change, deforestation, biodiversity loss, illegal logging, changing consumer preferences, supply chain disruptions, and increasingly stringent international regulations require coordinated responses rather than individual efforts.

Gyimah emphasized the need to place greater focus on value addition. He explained that although Ghana has exported substantial volumes of primary timber products over the years, significant opportunities still exist in downstream processing and manufacturing. By investing in furniture production, engineered wood products, prefabricated building materials, and interior decor products, Ghana can create more jobs, increase export revenue, strengthen local industries, and enhance economic resilience.

Gyimah reaffirmed the Forestry Commission's commitment to promoting sustainable forest management through effective regulation, plantation development, forest restoration, biodiversity conservation, and responsible utilization of forest resources.