The French colonial era holds immense influence in the history of Gabon. Despite French traders arriving in Gabon after other Europeans in the 1840s, France solidified its power by appointing traditional authority figures, such as clan leaders, to govern the country. After officially colonizing Gabon during the 1885 scramble for Africa, they began full administration of the nation in 1903.
Gabon became one of the four territories of French Equatorial Africa in 1910, and it gained its independence in 1960, becoming one of the independent nations alongside the Central African Republic. The French developed Gabon's economy to be largely dependent on trade with them. Despite the country's abundant natural resources, Gabon primarily exported raw materials while importing manufactured goods rather than developing its own manufacturing industry.
France was particularly interested in Gabon's ample petroleum reserves. They established preferential agreements with Gabonese leaders, ensuring continued unrivalled access to Gabon's petroleum even after the country gained independence. Over time, France also exerted influence over Gabon's political and power sectors. To this day, they continue to benefit from the agriculture and mining sectors of Gabon, which remains one of its significant colonies.
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