Gabon bans all exports of iboga, with penalties to follow

The Gabonese government has decided to prohibit the export of iboga and all its derivatives in any form. The draft decree was adopted during the Council of Ministers meeting on September 18, 2026, in Port-Gentil and targets both individuals and legal entities.

Libreville presents this ban as a measure to protect a plant resource closely linked to Gabon’s cultural heritage. The decree also aims to preserve the traditional knowledge associated with iboga, a plant used notably in the spiritual practices of Bwiti.

This decision tightens regulations that have been in place for several years. In February 2019, a decree had already provisionally suspended the export of Tabernanthe iboga, whether in raw or derived form, while allowing for special permits under certain conditions.

The framework was strengthened in 2026. Decree No. 0239 of May 22 regulates access, use, exploitation, research, processing, and marketing of iboga, its derivatives, and the associated traditional knowledge. The government also planned a benefit-sharing mechanism with communities holding this knowledge and a sovereign iboga fund aimed at research and development in the sector.

The Council of Ministers’ statement specifies that any violation of the new ban will expose the offender to penalties under the current penal, forestry, and customs laws. The same Council appointed Christ Jovanny Leyinda as the director of the Iboga project within the operational monitoring committee.