By Tim Lambert
Early Gabon
The earliest inhabitants of what is now Gabon were hunter-gatherers. They still live in parts of Gabon, but in the 14th and 15th centuries, Bantu-speaking people migrated to the region. They lived by farming and fishing along the coast and along the banks of rivers.
In 1472, the Portuguese reached Gabon. They traded with the local tribes. Later, other European nations also traded with Gabon. The Europeans wanted hardwood and ivory, but slaves were also exported from Gabon.
In the years from 1839 to 1841, France signed treaties with rulers in the coastal region of Gabon, making it a French protectorate. In 1885, the European powers divided up Africa between themselves. They formally recognised Gabon as an area belonging to France. In 1910, Gabon was made part of French Equatorial Africa.
The French ruled Gabon until 1960, when it became independent. Leon M’Ba became the first prime minister and, in 1961, the first President.
Modern Gabon
Leon M’Ba died in 1967, and he was succeeded by Omar Bongo, who ruled Gabon for more than 40 years. In 1968, Bongo made Gabon a one-party state. He died in 2009 and was succeeded by his son, Ali Bongo. He was overthrown by a military coup in 2023, and a general, Brice Nguema, took over as transitional president.
In 2022, Gabon joined the Commonwealth.
Today, Gabon is a relatively prosperous country, thanks to its oil resources, and its economy is growing steadily. Gabon also exports manganese and timber.
In 2025, the population of Gabon was 2.4 million.
Last revised 2026