Key Facts
—Who. Gabon’s government and two investors, Hope Global Investment and Conch Investment Holding of Hong Kong.
—What. A clinker line and cement plant meant to produce about 1 million tonnes of clinker and at least 1 million tonnes of cement a year.
—Money. At least 114 billion CFA francs, or about US$195 million at the 20 October euro rate.
—When. The first stone was due to be laid on Tuesday, 20 October 2026, according to Gabonreview.
—Jobs. At least 200 direct jobs, with priority for Gabonese workers and firms.
—Still unknown. When the plant will open, and how it will be financed in detail.
Gabon was due on Tuesday to lay the first stone of a clinker line and cement plant worth at least US$195 million (114 billion CFA francs). Clinker is the baked mineral that is ground into cement, and Gabon now relies on imports for part of it.
The project is the first of the industrial strand of Mondah Green Beach, a planned coastal city programme near Libreville. For US readers, it shows how Chinese-linked capital is moving into Central African building supplies.
What Is Planned
According to Gabonreview, the plant would make clinker at 3,500 tonnes a day, or about 1 million tonnes a year, and at least 1 million tonnes of cement a year. Hope Global Investment and Conch Investment Holding, a Hong Kong company, are to build, finance, run and manage it together.
The project promises at least 200 direct jobs, with priority for Gabonese workers and companies, plus training and technology transfer. The aims are to cut clinker imports, secure supply for the home market and leave room for exports within the region.
The idea came out of the Gabon-China Economic Forum held on 3 September 2024. It was presented to residents of Malibé in 2025, Gabonreview reports.
The CFA franc is tied to the euro at 655.957 francs, and the euro traded at about US$1.12 on 20 October (RT). On that basis 114 billion francs is about US$195 million.
The Wider Cement Race
Another producer, CIMAF Gabon, announced a programme of 125 billion francs (about US$214 million), including a clinker plant at Ntoum, according to Gabonreview. Together the projects point to a push for local clinker.
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is due to make a state visit to China from 3 to 8 November at the invitation of Xi Jinping, Gabonreview and Gabon Media Time report. The cement plant sits within the industrial plans his government links to China.
Mondah Green Beach as a whole is priced at 2,580 billion francs (about US$4.4 billion) and runs over seven years, Gabonreview reports. Our reports on Gabon’s tax breaks and on the new social media law show the policy backdrop.
What It Means for You
Cement is a basic input for roads, homes and ports, so a local plant could lower building costs in Gabon over time. Investors and contractors from the United States should note that the partners and the financing come from Asia.
Anyone tracking Gabon should watch the China visit in early November. It is likely to show which projects get funding and which stay on paper.
What Is Not Known
The details so far rest on a single report, from Gabonreview, and we found no second outlet with the same figures. The reports do not give an opening date, a full financing plan or the status of environmental approvals.
It is not clear who owns Hope Global Investment, or whether Conch Investment Holding is linked to the Chinese cement group Anhui Conch. It is also unclear whether this plant is the same project as the cement plant discussed with China’s ambassador on 14 October for the Neuf Provinces area.
Readers can find more reports in our Central Africa section. It tracks industrial projects across the region.
Sources
Gabonreview, Mondah Green Beach cement plant · Gabonreview, CIMAF investment · Gabonreview, China state visit · Gabon Media Time · Gabonreview, 500 homes and cement plant
This article was produced by The Rio Times’ automated newsroom system. How we use AI · Report an error · Editorial responsibility: Matthias Camenzind, Editor-in-Chief
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will the new Gabon cement plant cost?
At least 114 billion CFA francs, which is about US$195 million at the euro rate of 20 October 2026. The figure comes from Gabonreview.
Who is building the plant?
Hope Global Investment and Conch Investment Holding of Hong Kong are to build, finance, run and manage it together. Gabon’s government backs the project as part of Mondah Green Beach.
How much cement and clinker will it produce?
The plan calls for about 3,500 tonnes of clinker a day, or roughly 1 million tonnes a year. It also calls for at least 1 million tonnes of cement a year.
How many jobs will it create?
The project promises at least 200 direct jobs. Gabonreview says Gabonese workers and firms are to get priority.
When will the plant open?
No opening date has been published. We found no timeline in the reports we reviewed.