President Ali Bongo has been an ever present figure in Gabonese lives and politics since becoming president in 2009, following the death of ...
President Ali Bongo has been an ever present figure in Gabonese lives and politics since becoming president in 2009, following the death of his father, Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for nearly 42 years. Born in the Congolese city of Brazzaville in 1959,
As a young man, Bongo worked as his father's faithful lieutenant.
In 1989, he was appointed foreign minister at just 30, but had to step down two years later when a new constitution stipulated that cabinet members had to be at least 35.
He was back in government by 1999 as the head of the defence ministry. There, he remained until shortly before the start of the election campaign caused by the death of his father in 2009.The handover to Bongo junior was not a surprise, given the years of grooming and his own ambitions,
In 2016, he was re-elected for a second term, beating out opposition challenger Jean Ping .
Bongo adopted various reforms and programs to promote equality among the citizens of Gabon.
He unveiled a string of projects, including diversifying the economy, opening up markets to Asian investors, trimming the state sector, building a giant marina in the heart of Libreville.
To enhance good governance, President Bongo turfed out a string of long-standing officials and replaced them with a younger generation.
And has played a major role for the diversification of Gabon’s oil-dependent economy, in the face of declining oil reserves.
Gabon's oil sector has accounted for 80% of exports, 45% of GDP, and 60% of fiscal revenue over the past five years indicating how Ali Bongo was "very sharp in managing the economy.
His goal has been to move Gabon to a higher-tech, skilled economy. Alongside this, there have been new investments in mining and a serious effort to develop a more environmentally sustainable approach to use of the rainforest.
President Bongo has also used his own contacts to press harder for a stronger economy, travelling the world to find new investors and partners in countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while still keeping close ties with France. Without fear or favor, he has selflessly launched anti-corruption drive to prosecute top officials for siphoning off public funds and money-laundering.
As a young man, Bongo worked as his father's faithful lieutenant.
In 1989, he was appointed foreign minister at just 30, but had to step down two years later when a new constitution stipulated that cabinet members had to be at least 35.
He was back in government by 1999 as the head of the defence ministry. There, he remained until shortly before the start of the election campaign caused by the death of his father in 2009.The handover to Bongo junior was not a surprise, given the years of grooming and his own ambitions,
In 2016, he was re-elected for a second term, beating out opposition challenger Jean Ping .
Bongo adopted various reforms and programs to promote equality among the citizens of Gabon.
He unveiled a string of projects, including diversifying the economy, opening up markets to Asian investors, trimming the state sector, building a giant marina in the heart of Libreville.
To enhance good governance, President Bongo turfed out a string of long-standing officials and replaced them with a younger generation.And has played a major role for the diversification of Gabon’s oil-dependent economy, in the face of declining oil reserves.
Gabon's oil sector has accounted for 80% of exports, 45% of GDP, and 60% of fiscal revenue over the past five years indicating how Ali Bongo was "very sharp in managing the economy.
His goal has been to move Gabon to a higher-tech, skilled economy. Alongside this, there have been new investments in mining and a serious effort to develop a more environmentally sustainable approach to use of the rainforest.
President Bongo has also used his own contacts to press harder for a stronger economy, travelling the world to find new investors and partners in countries like Saudi Arabia and Kuwait, while still keeping close ties with France. Without fear or favor, he has selflessly launched anti-corruption drive to prosecute top officials for siphoning off public funds and money-laundering.
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