[Ferro-Alloys.com] AGL, Algest Investment Bank begin construction of Gabon’s Kobe-Kobe port, Belinga logistics corridor

The project will include a 550-kilometre railway, a four-berth mineral port, and supporting logistics infrastructure to handle bulk cargo efficiently.

AGL and Algest Investment Bank have begun construction of the Kobe-Kobe port in Gabon, a key component of the Belinga logistics corridor that includes a 550-kilometre railway linking inland mining sites to the Atlantic coast for high-grade iron ore exports.

The inauguration ceremony on 8 June was attended by Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, government officials, and representatives of AGL and Algest Investment Bank.

Port and Railway Specifications

The Kobe-Kobe port forms part of a broader infrastructure programme that includes a 550-kilometre railway corridor linking the Belinga mining region to the coast. The integrated logistics network aims to strengthen Gabon’s industrial and export capabilities by facilitating the movement of high-grade iron ore to international markets.

According to project plans, the corridor will support the export of more than 100 million tonnes of iron ore annually. The ore will be transported by rail to a new four-berth mineral port.

Economic Impact and Job Creation

The development is expected to create tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs, stimulating the regional economy and modernizing local supply chains. The project will include a 550-kilometre railway, a four-berth mineral port, and supporting logistics infrastructure to handle bulk cargo efficiently.

AGL Chairman Philippe Labonne said the company remains committed to applying its logistics expertise to developing modern, sustainable infrastructure projects that drive economic growth, improve competitiveness, and enhance regional integration.

Strategic Vision for African Supply Chains

The company added that the project reflects its broader strategy to support the development of African supply chains and to contribute to the continent’s long-term economic transformation. The integrated network marks a significant step towards the long-term economic transformation of the African continent, beyond industrial growth.

The four-berth mineral port, with modern handling equipment, could accommodate refrigerated containers alongside bulk cargo. Tens of thousands of direct and indirect jobs will expand Gabon’s middle class, potentially increasing demand for fresh produce and cold-chain services.

As AGL and Algest Investment Bank spearhead this endeavour to improve the nation’s international competitiveness through sustainable infrastructure, the project enhances Gabon’s position as a logistics gateway for Central Africa

This integrated network ultimately represents a significant step towards the long-term economic transformation of Gabon and the broader Central African region.

• [Editor:tianyawei]