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Gabon Strengthens Regional Energy Engagement as Oil and Gas Minister Joins Libya Energy & Economic Summit (LEES) 2026
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Sosthène Nguema Nguema, Minister of Oil and Gas, Gabon has been confirmed as a speaker at the upcoming Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 – taking place in Tripoli from January 24-26. The announcement highlights Gabon's ongoing efforts to attract international investment and advance strategic reforms in its oil and gas sector.
Minister Nguema assumed office in May 2025 and has since led a comprehensive modernization of Gabon's hydrocarbons framework. Under his leadership, the government is replacing the 2019 Hydrocarbons Code with separate oil and gas codes (https://apo-opa.co/4pW73cJ), aiming to enhance transparency, improve fiscal terms and provide legal clarity for investors. These reforms are design to unlock Gabon's deepwater and ultra-deepwater reserves, an underdeveloped segment of the country's energy portfolio.
Gabon currently produces approximately 200,000-228,000 barrels per day (bpd) of crude, with proven oil reserves estimated at 2 billion barrels and natural gas reserves at 26 billion cubic meters. In 2025, the country has seen major international re-entries, with bp and ExxonMobil signing MoUs (https://apo-opa.co/4qtT2CZ) to explore offshore oil and gas blocks. The state-owned Gabon Oil Company (GOC) has also expanded rapidly through strategic acquisitions, including Tullow Oil's Gabonese assets (https://apo-opa.co/49xcitD) and Assala Energy, raising national production to nearly 50,000 bpd under its portfolio.
Key gas projects under development in the country include the Cap Lopez LNG Terminal, a $2 billion investment by Perenco (https://apo-opa.co/3MW8oBU) featuring a floating LNG unit slated to begin production in 2026, and the Port-Gentil LNG facility, a $983 million joint venture with GOC. Gabon's broader energy strategy also encompasses renewable integration and electricity expansion, targeting 85% rural electrification by the end of 2025.
Gabon and Libya share a history of multilateral cooperation through OPEC and continental energy forums, and Minister Nguema's participation at LEES 2026 reinforces growing collaboration across the African oil and gas sector. Scheduled to join a high-level ministerial panel during this year's event, Minister Nguema is set to provide attendees with first-hand insights into Gabon's production optimization strategies, regulatory reforms, and investment opportunities, while also engaging in discussions on regional gas infrastructure and hybrid energy integration.
“We are honored to welcome Minister Sosthène Nguema Nguema to LEES 2026,” states James Chester, CEO, Energy Capital & Power. “His participation underscores Gabon's strategic role in Africa's evolving energy landscape and offers delegates a unique opportunity to engage directly with leadership driving regulatory reforms, deepwater exploration and gas monetization initiatives. Minister Nguema's insights will be invaluable for investors and stakeholders looking to partner in Gabon's growing hydrocarbon and energy sector.”
Join industry leaders at the Libya Energy & Economic Summit 2026 in Tripoli and explore investment opportunities in one of North Africa's most dynamic energy markets. LEES 2026 offers a premier platform for partnerships, innovation and sector growth. Visit www.LibyaSummit.com to secure your participation. To sponsor or participate as a delegate, please contact sales@energycapitalpower.com.
Distributed by APO Group on behalf of Energy Capital & Power.Merck Foundation Chief Executive Officer (CEO) meets The First Lady of Gabon and 13 African and Asian First Ladies to underscore their partnerships to...
Merck Foundation (www.Merck-Foundation.com), the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, strengthened its long-term partnerships to enhance healthcare capacity and scholarship programs through high-level meeting held between Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation, and The First Lady of the Gabonese Republic, H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, who is also the Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother”. The meeting was held during the 7th Edition of the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025.
Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej expressed, “It was a pleasure meeting my dear sister H.E. Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic and the Ambassador of Merck Foundation “More Than a Mother” during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025. Together, we have begun providing scholarships for young doctors in the fields of Oncology and Diabetes care. This is just the beginning of our efforts to transform the public healthcare landscape in the country, and we will continue to scale up the number of scholarships.”
Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, First Lady of the Gabonese Republic & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother stated, “Our partnership with Merck Foundation, though initiated only last year in 2024, has already begun to yield meaningful outcomes. Together, we've embarked on initiatives aimed at enhancing healthcare capacity and addressing critical social and health challenges in Gabon. We have started to enroll our local doctors for the scholarship program. Moreover, we are also implementing the impactful program Educating Linda, through which we are providing annually, scholarships to 20 high performing girls who are underprivileged, ensuring they can continue their education until graduation. This program is particularly close to my heart because each of these girls will now have the opportunity to pursue the career of her choice and dreams.”
Watch the Speech of The First Lady of Gabon & Ambassador of Merck Foundation More Than a Mother during the Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative Summit 2025 here: https://apo-opa.co/4aYbFdH
On day 2 of the Summit, Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative- MFFLI committee meeting was conducted between The First Ladies of Africa and Merck Foundation Chairman and CEO, where the African and Asian First Ladies shared the impact report of Merck Foundation programs in their respective countries, and future strategy was discussed.
Watch the video of MFFLI committee meeting: https://apo-opa.co/4aVLhBa
“Merck Foundation has always believed in the importance of building healthcare capacity and has been working for it since 2012. We have so far provided 2500 scholarships for doctors from 52 countries in 44 underserved medical specialties. We will soon be enrolling more doctors from Gabon in various medical specialties in partnership with the First Lady and Ministry of Health of Gabon", added Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej.
Merck Foundation, together with the Office of the First Lady of Gabon, recently conducted their first Health Media Training program with the aim to build the capacity of local media representatives to raise awareness on critical social and health issues such as ending gender-based violence and female genital mutilation, supporting girl education and women's empowerment, and addressing health challenges like diabetes and hypertension.
Merck Foundation also announced the Call for applications for their 8 important awards in partnership with The First Lady of Gabon for Media, Musicians, Fashion Designers, Filmmakers, students, and new potential talents in these fields.
Moreover, in partnership with The First Lady of Gabon, Merck Foundation has also launched seven children's storybooks, “More Than a Mother”, “Educating Linda”, “Jackline's Rescue”, “Not Who You Are”, “Ride into the Future” and “Sugar free Jude”, and “Mark's Pressure”. The storybooks launched in French language, address various social and health issues like breaking infertility stigma, supporting girl education, stopping GBV, diabetes and hypertension awareness.
The 7th Edition of Merck Foundation First Ladies Initiative was streamed live on the social media handles of Merck Foundation and Senator, Dr. Rasha Kelej, CEO of Merck Foundation:
@ Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3Y2sXyL), X (http://apo-opa.co/4p4JrBD), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3YzDeCJ), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3Y4PMlt).
@ Rasha Kelej: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3KEhBOB), X (http://apo-opa.co/48KLFBh), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3N6Dt5H), and YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3YzAdlX).
Link to the YouTube live stream of Inaugural Session of Merck Foundation First Ladies High Level Panel: https://apo-opa.co/45i3tRV
Merck Foundation is transforming the Patient care landscape and making history together with their partners in Africa, Asia, and beyond, through:
- 2500+ Scholarships provided by Merck Foundation for doctors from 52 Countries in more than 44 critical and underserved medical specialties.
Merck Foundation is also creating a culture shift and breaking the silence about a wide range of social and health issues in Africa and underserved communities through:
- 3700+ Media Persons from more than 35 countries trained to better raise awareness about different social and health issues
- 8 Different Awards launched annually for best media coverage, fashion designers, films, and songs
- Around 30 songs to address health and social issues, by local singers across Africa
- 9 Children's Storybooks in three languages - English, French, and Portuguese
- 6 Awareness Animation films in five languages - English, French, Portuguese, Spanish and Swahili to raise awareness about prevention and early detection of Diabetes & Hypertension and supporting girl education.
- Pan African TV Program "Our Africa by Merck Foundation” addressing Social and Health Issues in Africa through “Fashion and ART with Purpose” Community
- 1040+ Scholarships provided to high performing but under-privileged African schoolgirls from 18 countries, to help them to complete their studies and empower them to reach their full potential.
- 15 Social Media Channels with more than 8 Million Followers.
Contact:
Mehak Handa
Community Awareness Program Manager
Phone: +91 9310087613/ +91 9319606669
Email: mehak.handa@external.merckgroup.com
Join the conversation on our social media platforms below and let your voice be heard!
Facebook: http://apo-opa.co/3Y2sXyL
X: http://apo-opa.co/4p4JrBD
Instagram: http://apo-opa.co/3YzDeCJ
YouTube: http://apo-opa.co/3Y4PMlt
Threads: http://apo-opa.co/45i3u8r
Flickr: http://apo-opa.co/4jnWBbP
Website: www.Merck-Foundation.com
Download Merck Foundation App: https://apo-opa.co/3N8Bq0Y
About Merck Foundation:
The Merck Foundation, established in 2017, is the philanthropic arm of Merck KGaA Germany, aims to improve the health and wellbeing of people and advance their lives through science and technology. Our efforts are primarily focused on improving access to quality & equitable healthcare solutions in underserved communities, building healthcare & scientific research capacity, empowering girls in education and empowering people in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics) with a special focus on women and youth. All Merck Foundation press releases are distributed by e-mail at the same time they become available on the Merck Foundation Website. Please visit www.Merck-Foundation.com to read more. Follow the social media of Merck Foundation: Facebook (http://apo-opa.co/3Y2sXyL), X (http://apo-opa.co/4p4JrBD), Instagram (http://apo-opa.co/3YzDeCJ), YouTube (http://apo-opa.co/3Y4PMlt), Threads (http://apo-opa.co/45i3u8r) and Flickr (http://apo-opa.co/4jnWBbP).
The Merck Foundation is dedicated to improving social and health outcomes for communities in need. While it collaborates with various partners, including governments to achieve its humanitarian goals, the foundation remains strictly neutral in political matters. It does not engage in or support any political activities, elections, or regimes, focusing solely on its mission to elevate humanity and enhance well-being while maintaining a strict non-political stance in all of its endeavors.