Gabon will halt the export of raw manganese starting in 2029 as part of a national push to transform its industrial sector, President Brice Oligui Nguema announced in a government statement released Saturday.

Manganese, used in producing stainless steel and batteries, is one of Gabon’s key revenue sources alongside timber and oil.

Addressing the council of ministers on Friday, Oligui ordered “the formal ban… from January 1, 2029, on the export of raw manganese, a strategic resource of which Gabon is the world’s second-largest producer,” the statement said.

The decision, in the country of 2.3 million — one of Africa’s wealthiest — aims to launch “an ambitious industrial policy focused on local processing of raw materials, improving national workforce skills, mastering technological value chains, and strengthening tax revenues,” the government added.

Oligui, who seized power by overthrowing the Bongo family dynasty and later won April elections with nearly 95% of the vote, said the sector has three years to prepare the necessary investments for the shift.

The government also plans to establish a public-private investment fund to support the industry.

Additionally, the council of ministers agreed to ban the import of chicken meat starting January 1, 2027.

Despite Gabon’s wealth, roughly one-third of its population lives in poverty, with one in 10 facing food insecurity.