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Explore Investment Opportunities in Gabon Special Economic Zone In Gabon, Africa, Business Setup Guide for Investors in Arise IIP SEZs, Special Economic Zones.

Home / Zones / GSEZ

Gabon Special Economic Zone

Gabon | Special Economic Zone

about GSEZ

Gabon Special Economic Zone (GSEZ) SA springs from a public-private partnership venture between Arise IIP and the Gabonese Republic (CDC) signed in March 2010. GSEZ was set up to foster local timber processing, industrial production, and the sustainable use of Gabon's natural reseources, primarily timber, for local and export markets.

It allows local and international investors to establish themselves and set up locally thanks to a unique administrative and fiscal status. The industrial zone is divided into three sectors: industrial, commercial and residential. Located in Nkok town, 27 km from the capital, Libreville, GSEZ can be reached by road, rail,and riverboat traffic. It also has a loading platform for loading barges for direct connections with the port city of Owendo.

Gabon Special Economic Zone is fast emerging as the West Central Africa's manufacturing hub and entrepreneurs from across the globe are welcome to benefit from the business opportunities unlocked by Nkok SEZ. It was awarded Best Economic Zones for Wood Production in 2020 in the Financial Times FDI Intelligence ranking. Today GSEZ includes: 144 investors from 16 different nations and operating in 22 industrial sectors.

1126 ha

Zone Area

1.7 Bn

FDIs Generated

Gabon

Location

GSEZ investment sectors

Timber & Wood Processing

Market Size

$600 Bn

Forest Area

23.5 Mn Ha

Covered at 88% by forest and with 12.5 million hectares of sustainably managed forests containing over 400 species of trees, including the well-known Kevazingo and the popular Okoume, Gabon is the reference and flagship component of the timber industry.

Waste Recycling

Market Size

$50 Mn

CAGR

7-10%

Forecast

$70-80 Mn by 2028

The GSEZ is fast emerging as a vital hub for the waste recycling sector, driven by a pressing need for sustainable waste management solutions. With a recycling rate of less than 10% for the 1.5 million tons of solid waste generated annually, there is a significant opportunity for innovative recycling initiatives.

Metals & Mining

Market Size

$2 Bn

CAGR

5-8%

Forecast

$2.5-3 Bn by 2028

Despite its status as a top manganese producer, the GSEZ has only developed a fraction of its mineral resources. This presents a vast opportunity for investors to engage in exploration and development.

Agro Processing

Market Size

$200 Mn

CAGR

8-12%

Forecast

$300-400 Mn

The GSEZ offers an attractive opportunity in agro-processing, leveraging the country’s annual production of 1.3 million tons of agricultural products, with only 20% currently processed. The zone is strategically positioned to become a regional leader in agro-processing, making it an appealing investment destination.

GSEZ investment opportunities

Furniture

Gabon's Furniture Market Forecast

$300 million

Gabon currently relies heavily on imported furniture, creating a substantial opportunity for local production within GSEZ (Gabon Special Economic Zone).

Plywood

Market Size

$54.2 Bn

CAGR

6.2%

Gabon is already a leader in plywood production, with several successful plywood manufacturing companies operating within the GSEZ. This established ecosystem creates a pool of skilled labor and facilitates knowledge sharing

Veneer

Market Size

5% of Global Market

GSEZ eliminates the need for lengthy and expensive veneer imports. Processors can source high-quality logs directly from Gabonese producers within the zone.

Sawn Wood

Resources

400+ Timber Species

Gabon's GSEZ zone features a dedicated wood cluster specifically designed to support and accelerate the growth of wood processing businesses. This cluster provides access to shared facilities, utilities, and a network of industry partners.

Palm Oil

Market Size

$44.2 Mn

CAGR

5.5%

Forecast

$55 Mn

The GSEZ represents a transformative opportunity for investors seeking to capitalize on the burgeoning palm oil sector in Central Africa. With its strategic location, favorable investment climate, and commitment to agricultural development, GSEZ offers an unparalleled platform for growth in palm oil production.

why invest in GSEZ?

Business Ease & Ownership Advantages

Modern infrastructure with multiple access options to the site: roads, quay, railway,
Subsidized electricity, compared to the rates in force outside SEZ
Relaxed and flexible labour law
SEZ conceptualized to offer combined work-life-play environment

Fiscal Incentives For Businesses

0% Corporate income tax
Exemption from custom duty on import of equipment and machinery for industries
0% property tax
100% repartition of capital and profits

FACILITIES IN GSEZ

Road Network

Jetty

Port Connectivity

Medical Centre

Internet

Water Supply

Single Window Operation

Raw Materials

Training Centre

Drainage System

Electricity

Construction Ready Land

Police Station

Fire Station

Inland Container Depot

Warehousing

Solid Waste Collection (SWC)

Raw Material Procurement

GSEZ REPORTS & DOCUMENTS

Arise Brochure-EN

Arise Brochure-FR

Gsez Brochure-EN

Commitment to timber supply according to FSC CW

Anti-corruption policy

Subcontracting charter

Gender policy

Anti-bribery policy

Subcontractors charter

GAW PUBLIC ABSTRACT OF SFM

Certificate Of Registration ISO 9001:2015

Certificate Of Registration ISO 14001:2015

Certificate Of Registration ISO 45001:2018

NKOK SEZ Carbon Neutrality & Greeen House certificate 2020

NKOK SEZ Carbon Neutrality & Greeen House certificate 2021

Arise-IIP-IS-Life Saving Rules

ESG Code of conduct

ESG Policy 2021

Grievance Mechanism Procedure

GSEZ Health and safety policy

IIP EHS requirements for contractors

Stakeholder Engagement Plan

ARISE IIP SUSTAINIBILITY CHARTER

SFIK High Conservation Value (HVC) report

JBG High Conservation Value (HCV) report

GAW High Conservation Value(HCV) report

Bordamur High Conservation Value Plan (HCV) report

Gabon Advance Wood report 2022

Commitment to sustainable forest management

Forest products supply declaration

Social policy

GSEZ Brochure 2025

Our clients

GSEZ-Century Ply, Logos of investment companies and clients associated with Arise IIP, Africa For Investors

GSEZ-Chanta, Logos of investment companies and clients associated with Arise IIP, Africa For Investors

GSEZ-Green Ply, Logos of investment companies and clients associated with Arise IIP, Africa For Investors

GSEZ-GWI - Gabon Wood Industries, Logos of investment companies and clients associated with Arise IIP, Africa For Investors

GSEZ-L7H LIFE RESOURCES, Logos of investment companies and clients associated with Arise IIP, Africa For Investors

GSEZ-Somivab, Logos of investment companies and clients associated with Arise IIP, Africa For Investors

Visions & testimonials

Joseph Owondault Berre
Vice-President of the Gabonese

Everything is in place within the Nkok SIZ to foster high-quality projects and achievements. This Zone is a tool for promoting Gabon's expertise. It was a truly memorable visit.

Evariste Ndayisimiye
President of the Republic of Burundi

GSEZ is an example in the transformation of natural resources.

Raymond Ndong Sima
Prime Minister, Head of Government- Gabonese

Together, let's build our future by increasing our production capacity and exploring innovative avenues to maintain our position of choice on the international market.

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