Which forest product has long been important to Gabon’s economy?

For many years, the most important forest product in Gabon’s economy has been okoume wood, often referred to as Gabonese mahogany.1

While forests cover more than three-fourths of the country and served as its principal natural resource for a long period, timber and other forest products were eventually surpassed in economic significance by mineral wealth in the early 1970s. In addition to okoume, other woods such as ebony and kevazingo have historically been exported, and the industry remains supported by the production of plywood and veneer. Historically, logs were transported from the interior by floating them downstream along the Ogooué River to ports such as Port-Gentil.213