Gabonese Community in Birmingham

Where they come from

Gabon lies on the Atlantic coast of central Africa, and most of the country is covered by rainforest. It has created a network of national parks to protect its wildlife, including forest elephants and gorillas. French is the official language. Gabonese people in Britain include students and professionals.

The community in numbers

At the 2021 Census, out of a city population of 1,144,919, 6,034 people living in the city had been born in Central and Western African countries other than Ghana and Nigeria, a group that includes Gabon.

Working for Birmingham

Gabonese students and professionals study and work in fields such as business, environmental science, engineering and medicine. Gabon's commitment to protecting its forests gives many Gabonese a keen interest in conservation and sustainability, subjects of growing importance in Birmingham too.

Every community that has settled in Birmingham has helped to shape it. Newcomers have filled gaps in the workforce, opened shops and restaurants, and raised children who have gone on to become the city's doctors, teachers, engineers and entrepreneurs. The Gabonese community is part of that tradition of hard work and ambition, and of the city's own motto: Forward.

Culture and community life

Gabonese music and dance are central to celebrations, and the Bwiti tradition has deep roots in the country. Dishes such as poulet nyembwe, chicken in palm nut sauce, are national favourites, and Independence Day on 17 August is celebrated with pride.

In a city where scores of languages are spoken, the Gabonese community adds another voice to the conversation. Its members, old and new, are helping to make Birmingham the confident, outward-looking city it wants to be.