Gabon seeks control over iboga amid global ibogaine boom

Gabon establishes national framework for iboga

Gabon has taken a significant step in reclaiming control over iboga, a plant with deep cultural roots in the country, by establishing a national framework to regulate its use and associated traditional knowledge. On May 22, 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema signed Decree No. 0239/PR/MJSRCAVA, which aims to provide governance over iboga and its derivatives, according to a report by journalist Molly Helfend.

Traditional roots and global expansion

Iboga has been traditionally used by the Babongo and other forest communities in Gabon, later becoming integral to the Bwiti and Bwete spiritual practices. However, the international ibogaine industry has grown rapidly, often operating beyond the influence of these original communities. Helfend's reporting highlights the tension between global commercialization and local cultural heritage.

Legal and equitable export concerns

Helfend's investigation, published in Mongabay, questions whether the legal and equitable export of iboga truly benefits the communities from which it originates. The decree aims to address these concerns by extending Gabon's earlier Nagoya Protocol stance to include intellectual property rights related to iboga, such as patents on ibogaine derivatives.

National organization and resistance

In her coverage for The Guardian, Helfend notes that traditional Bwiti and Bwete associations are organizing nationally to assert their rights. However, there is resistance to the idea that any single group can represent all practitioners. Her French-language piece for Gabon Review explores the integration of ancestral identity with modern practices, including the acceptance of Bwiti within Christian families.

Why it matters

Gabon’s move to establish control over iboga is crucial as it seeks to ensure that the benefits of the global ibogaine industry are shared with the communities that have historically cultivated this knowledge. The framework aims to protect traditional practices while addressing illegal harvesting and ensuring fair trade.

This development marks a pivotal moment for Gabon as it navigates the challenges of balancing cultural heritage with the demands of a burgeoning global market.