Olam began operations in Gabon in 1999. Today we have a number of strategic partnerships with the Gabonese Republic which include palm oil, rubber, fertiliser and port logistics as part of a Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ).
We chose to invest in Gabon due to its political stability, logistical potential, its favourable agri-climate, thriving economy and the synergy of Olam’s objectives with those of the Republic’s ‘Emerging Gabon’ strategy, in particular their commitment to sustainable development. In turn, the Republic of Gabon was keen to develop an agricultural economy of which it has very little (around 60% of food is imported), diversify from fossil fuel exports, create employment and reduce poverty – approximately 33% of people live at or below the poverty line.
Through our investments we are now the country’s largest private sector employer, generating significant employment opportunities in rural areas. The strength of the Olam Gabon’s team lies in our expertise across the various businesses and global diversity across cultures. While we continue to retain some foreign specialists within each business, the number of Gabonese workers continues to rise – we now employ over 9,000 Gabonese people.
Olam Palm Gabon: 60 % : Republic of Gabon 40%
We have planted 64,000 hectares of oil palm and we are protecting 72,000 hectares of High Conservation Value forest and other areas such as buffer zones. Two plantation lots have already been RSPO certified and we are on track for 100% certification by 2021. We have 3 processing facilities.
Olam Rubber Gabon: Olam 60% : Republic of Gabon 40%
We have planted 11,000 hectares of rubber trees and are protecting around 25,000 hectares of High Conservation Value areas. We have 1 processing facility.
Gabon Special Economic Zone: Olam 40.5% : Republic of Gabon 38.5% : AFC 21%
1,126 hectare multi-product Nkok SEZ with over 80 investors from 18 different nationalities and 15 producing industries. GSEZ has also undertaken ports and infrastructure projects.
Gabon Fertiliser Company*: Olam 80% : Republic of Gabon 20%
The JV company was set up to build a urea-ammonia fertiliser plant of 1.3 million tonnes per annum capacity.
Sotrader: Olam 49% : Republic of Gabon 51%
Smallholder co-operative programme for food crops and oil palm.
“With the aim to generate long-term value for smallholder farmers, we have implemented a local-impact strategy in 2 regions well known for their important output of palm oil.”
We employ over 15,000 people across 11 locations
