Gabon: BAD chief’s visit aims to unlock new investment opportunities

The Gabonese Head of State, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, welcomed the President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, to Libreville on Friday. Their meeting focused on strengthening the long-standing partnership between Gabon and the pan-African institution, as outlined in an official statement from the presidency.

The AfDB delegation, led by Sidi Ould Tah and including resident representative Nouredine Kane Dia, reviewed the status of the Bank’s portfolio in Gabon. Key discussions centered on aligning future projects with the country’s development priorities, as set out by President Oligui Nguema.

Key sectors in focus: water, energy and agriculture

Among the Gabonese leader’s priorities are critical infrastructure upgrades, particularly in water and electricity supply. Libreville and other urban centers face persistent challenges in accessing these essential services. The agricultural sector also emerged as a strategic focus, with efforts aimed at reducing food imports and boosting local production to achieve food self-sufficiency.

The AfDB has pledged to support major projects in collaboration with Gabon’s energy and water utility, Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon. One flagship initiative involves financing structural projects to improve water supply from the Komo River, addressing chronic shortages in the capital and surrounding areas.

A water program with ambitious goals

The Bank’s commitment to Gabon’s water sector is already visible through its funding of the Integrated Program for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Libreville (PIAEPAL). A loan of 200 million accounting units—equivalent to approximately 75 billion CFA francs—was allocated to modernize and expand the water network in Greater Libreville, a system that had deteriorated over nearly a decade.

The program delivered tangible results, including the rehabilitation of 310 kilometers of pipelines, the installation of 21,000 new meters, and the construction or renovation of water towers in key locations such as Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega.

Reassessing progress and future ambitions

During his state of the nation address on June 15, President Oligui Nguema acknowledged that the water project had not met initial expectations. However, both parties expressed confidence in deepening cooperation to prioritize high-impact initiatives that align with Gabon’s national development agenda.

The meeting underscored the AfDB’s role as one of Gabon’s leading multilateral partners, particularly in financing projects across infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. The renewed dialogue signals a shift toward more targeted, results-driven investments designed to enhance the quality of life for Gabonese citizens.