This article describes India's development partnership with Gabon and cooperation in specific sectors. It covers a line of credit, projects funded through India-UN and IBSA partnerships, the Pan African e-network, training and scholarships, health, and defence and maritime contacts. It is based on the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) bilateral brief of April 2026, and figures are given as of that brief.

Line of credit

According to the MEA brief of April 2026, the Government of India approved a Line of Credit of $14.5 million in March 2007 for a housing project in Bikele, near Libreville. The project was to construct 300 houses and 4 amenities.

Projects through UN and IBSA partnerships

In September 2018, the Government of India announced a grant-aid of USD one million for Gabon's project for Strengthening climate information and early warning systems, under the India-UN Development Partnership Fund. The brief states that the project has since been completed.

On May 26, 2025, the Gabonese government and the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) launched a project from the IBSA Fund to enhance the cassava value chain. With $1 million in funding, the initiative aims to empower youth and women, strengthen food sovereignty, and promote the "Made in Gabon" label through South-South cooperation.

Pan African e-network and e-VBAB

Gabon was among the first 15 African countries to implement the Pan African e-network project. Under the project, Tele-education, Tele-medicine and VVIP connectivity have been set up in Libreville.

During their virtual bilateral meeting in December 2020, MOS V Muraleedharan and the then Foreign Minister of Gabon reviewed the finalisation process of the draft MOU on the e-VBAB project.

Training and capacity building

Under the ITEC scheme, 10 out of 10 ITEC slots initially allocated to the Mission have been utilised by Gabon so far for the year 2025-26.

Five Gabonese diplomats attended a special course for diplomats from the Central and West Africa region at SSIFS, New Delhi, from 16-25 July 2025, under the 3rd Global South Young Diplomats Forum Program.

ICCR scholarships

In the last 5 years, 13 ICCR scholarship slots have been offered to Gabon. As of the brief, five ICCR scholarships have been offered for the year 2026-27.

Health

The MA Banniere foundation in Gabon, headed by the first Lady Madam ZITA OLIGUI NGUEMA, is in partnership with the MERCK Foundation in India. The partnership aims to enhance health care capacity in Gabon in the areas of infertility and Oncology, and to address critical social and health challenges. Under its scholarship programme, 3 doctors from Gabon were sent to India during September/October 2025.

Defence and maritime contacts

The brief records the following defence and maritime contacts:

  • On 24-27 September 2022, the Indian Naval Ship INS Tarkash visited Port Gentil, Gabon, for a port call. The port call was part of its visit to countries in the Gulf of Guinea and beyond for anti-piracy cooperation, and it was the first ever visit of an Indian Navy ship to Gabon.
  • In February 2025, a high-level Gabonese delegation led by H. E. ONKANOWA Brigitte, Minister of Defence, took part in the AERO INDIA Show in Bangalore from February 10-14, 2025. The delegation visited the HAL facility in Bangalore and met Raksha Mantri Shri Rajnath Singh.
  • From February 15-21, 2026, Chief of Naval Staff Vice Admiral Charles Hubert Bekale Meyong participated in the International Fleet Review (IFR) and MILAN 2026 at Visakhapatnam.

Scope of the partnership

Readers seeking information on current training and scholarship opportunities should consult the High Commission of India in Gabon or the High Commission of the Republic of Gabon in New Delhi.