The Bongo Dynasty's Rise & Fall

The Bongo Dynasty's Rise & Fall

From It's a Continent by W!ZARD Studios

May 24, 2025 · 30 min · Episode 5

About this episode

The episode explores the rise and fall of the Bongo dynasty in Gabon, focusing on its impact on the country's wealth and political landscape.

Gabon should be a model of prosperity—yet its oil riches were siphoned into offshore mansions and luxury fleets by the Bongo kleptocracy. From Omar Bongo’s 42-year dynasty to Ali Bongo’s rigged re-elections and the 2023 palace coup, we trace how pipedreams of development gave way to pipelines—and ask whether Brice Oligui Nguema can finally reclaim Gabon’s stolen promise. Spend Abacha's Loot Sources: Gabon’s Bongo family enriched itself over 56 years of kleptocratic rule, spreading its wealth across the world Has Gabon’s ‘all-powerful’ Bongo dynasty really lost its 55-year grip? Gabon (1960-present) Gabon’s first election after collapse of Bongo dynasty: What’s at stake? Gabon votes in first presidential election since coup ended 55-year Bongo dynasty Gabon: how the Bongo family’s 56-year rule has hurt the country and divided the opposition Follow us on IG: itsacontinentpod and Twitter: itsacontinent. It's a Continent (published by Coronet) is available to purchase: itsacontinent.com/book We're on Buy me a Coffee too: https://www.buymeacoffee.com/itsacontinent Visit our website: itsacontinent.com Artwork by Margo Designs: https://margosdesigns.myportfolio.com Music provided by…

Topics covered

  • kleptocracy
  • political history
  • oil wealth
  • elections
  • Gabon
  • Bongo dynasty

Keywords

  • Bongo dynasty
  • Gabon
  • kleptocracy
  • oil riches
  • political corruption
  • 2023 coup
  • elections

Mentioned in this episode

Organizations: Bongo kleptocracy

Places: Gabon

More episodes of It's a Continent

Explore listener stats, chart rankings, contacts and more on the It's a Continent podcast page.