Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema

Gabon
The intriguing career trajectory of the new head of the Gabonese Sovereign Wealth Fund

Appointed by Gabon's president to head the state's main financial vehicle, Persis Lionel Essono Ondo presents himself as a seasoned investment banker. While his CV lists a number of positions at prominent businesses, the authenticity of his career path is in doubt.

Palace Intrigues
Alassane Ouattara, Bassirou Diomaye Faye, Denis Sassou-Nguesso, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, Faustin-Archange Touadéra

Intrigues big and small – every Thursday, Africa Intelligence takes a peek into the corridors of power in Africa and beyond.

West AfricaAlassane Ouattara, Bassirou Diomaye Faye and Umaro Sissoco Embaló's secret WAEMU meeting

Central African RepublicThe bitter battle for access to Touadéra

GabonPascaline Bongo calls on Sassou for support

Central Africa
CEMAC heads of state to discuss Gabon and Congo's debts

Libreville and Brazzaville have strayed from the convergence criteria of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa. The issue will be discussed at an extraordinary summit in Yaoundé next week.

Gabon
Flight of businessman Hervé Patrick Opiangah makes waves within junta

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's former mines minister, who is wanted for questioning by the police after having been accused of incest, has solid support within the national transition committee and outside Gabon.

Gabon
Pascaline Bongo tries to buy time to save Delta Synergie

She is seeking a postponement of the deadline for the firm to sell its stake in BGFIBank Holding Corp.

Gabon
Mahamadou Bonkoungou flies high in Libreville

The CEO of construction group Ebomaf is expanding his sphere of influence in Gabon through a sector he is particularly fond of: aviation.

Egypt, Gabon
Egyptian consortium EGAAD sets out to conquer Gabon

Following a meeting with the Gabonese president when he visited Brussels in November, a delegation from the Egyptian African Arab Co for Development consortium will head to Libreville this week.

Gabon
President's office and Karpowership at loggerheads

Tempers flared on 27 November, during a meeting between Turkish electricity operator Karpowership and Arnauld Engandji, special adviser to the president on energy issues.

Gabon
Libreville bars Karpowership power plant from switching on in last-minute U-turn

On presidential orders, Gabon's energy ministry has blocked the Turkish electricity operator's floating power plant from connecting to the national grid. The plant was supposed to be operational by 27 November.

The New Guard
Kenya, DRC, Nigeria

Every Wednesday, Africa Intelligence spotlights a new generation of movers and shakers in business and politics.

KenyaPeter Naituli at the summit of his game

DRCNathalie Kienga, queen of cybersecurity

NigeriaAbiola Sunmonu, Commonwealth linchpin

Gabon
French employers group postpones Libreville visit

MEDEF International is postponing its business delegation mission to the country, initially scheduled to begin today, due to the proximity of the constitutional referendum, set for November 16.

Madagascar
Next Indian Ocean Commission summit pencilled in for April

Madagascan President Andry Rajoelina recently proposed several dates in April 2025 to his fellow heads of state for the 5th Summit of the Indian Ocean Commission and now awaits confirmation.

Gabon
Egyptian-South African team in pole position for Belinga-Mayumba rail contract

A consortium led by South Africa's Thelo Group and including Egypt's EGAAD is poised to win a contract with the Gabonese government to build a 972km railway linking the Bélinga mining site to Mayumba's future deepwater port.

Central Africa
ECCAS in need of CFA 15bn

The Economic Community of Central African States needs to find between €22m and €27m if it is to continue to operate.

Gabon
Comilog unions revolt over production suspension decision

The decision of Comilog's majority shareholder, France's Eramet group, to suspend manganese production in Ga`bon because of low Chinese demand has worsened the already conflictual relations between management and unions at the company.

Gabon
Oligui Nguema sees basic law referendum as springboard for presidential poll

The transitional president hopes to capitalise on the momentum of the vote on the draft new constitution on 16 November to organise the presidential election before the end of this year.

Congo
After Francophonie snub, Sassou-Nguesso expected in Russia for BRICS summit

Denis Sassou-Nguesso is to head to Kazan, Russia, for the 16th BRICS summit on 22 to 24 October.