Makokou

Makokou is the regional capital of the Ogooue-Ivindo province in Gabon. The city lies on the Ivindo River and the N4 road. It grew around iron ore mining and lies near the Ivindo National Park. A branch of the Trans-Gabon Railway was originally planned to terminate in the town, but the route was abandoned for what are often described as political reasons. At the time, the price of iron ore from the nearby iron ore mines was depressed. In 2006, proposals to build this branch with a possible extension to other iron ore mines at Mbala, Cameroon are being considered. At new deep water port at Santa Clara would be part of the project.