Gabon’s iboga industry: balancing tradition with global health demands

The sacred iboga shrub, deeply rooted in Gabon’s spiritual heritage, is poised for a transformative industrial leap. As the opiate crisis grips the United States, this indigenous plant has drawn unprecedented international attention for its potential in addiction therapy. In response to this global interest, Libreville is taking decisive steps to reclaim ownership of its natural resource and shape its own economic future.

By Georges Essomba — Regional Policy and International Economics