Libreville’s Mont-Bouët market is the pulsating heart of the capital’s informal economy, yet it has also become a hotspot for a deeply entrenched scourge. Merchants operating in this sprawling marketplace, the largest in Gabon, have long faced a relentless system of extortion that shows no signs of abating. Now, the issue has thrust itself into the spotlight, challenging newly elected Mayor Eugène Mba to confront a corrupt practice that has persisted for years.
Under the surface of the market’s usual hustle and bustle, a darker reality thrives. Organized by the Syndicat des Débrouillards du Gabon and the Solidarité pour le Développement du Gabon, local traders have finally found the courage to speak out. They describe a well-oiled extortion scheme involving municipal workers and law enforcement officers, who demand payments far exceeding official tax rates.
Testimonies gathered from vendors reveal staggering discrepancies. « Some city agents charge 2,000 FCFA per stall, despite regulations requiring only 500 FCFA, » one trader shared. Even more alarming, receipts are rarely issued, masking a systemic fraud that drains already tight budgets. The lack of transparency and accountability has allowed this practice to flourish, leaving small business owners vulnerable to financial strain.
An entrenched crisis demanding urgent action
The racketeering problem is not new. It has survived multiple municipal administrations, fueled by deep-rooted networks that thrive on cash transactions and a glaring absence of oversight. As purchasing power declines across the country, the burden on traders grows heavier, making the fight against this corruption even more critical. Mayor Eugène Mba now faces the daunting task of dismantling a system that has resisted change for decades.
Digital transformation as a potential solution
In the face of what some call an « impossible mission, » innovative solutions are being explored to clean up Libreville’s market operations. Economists and reform advocates agree that digitalizing payments could be the key. By eliminating cash transactions and ensuring direct transfers to municipal accounts, the city could cut off the revenue streams fueling corrupt agents. For Mayor Mba, the stakes are high—restoring trust between the municipality and local entrepreneurs is essential to revitalizing the capital’s economic backbone.