Gabon strengthens ties with African Development Bank to spur growth

Gabon’s leadership and the African Development Bank (AfDB) have taken a decisive step to deepen their partnership, focusing on critical areas like water, energy, and agriculture. In a high-level meeting held in Libreville, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema welcomed the AfDB’s top official, Sidi Ould Tah, to discuss ways to accelerate investments and align the bank’s initiatives with Gabon’s national priorities.

The AfDB delegation, led by President Ould Tah and including resident representative Nouredine Kane Dia, reviewed the bank’s current portfolio in Gabon and explored new avenues to support the country’s development agenda. Key sectors identified for intervention include expanding access to clean water and reliable electricity across Libreville and other urban centers, alongside boosting agricultural productivity to curb food imports and achieve self-sufficiency.

Water and electricity: critical infrastructure on the agenda

The discussions centered on long-term solutions to address Gabon’s persistent infrastructure gaps. With Libreville’s water and power networks under strain, the AfDB has committed to financing large-scale projects in collaboration with Gabon’s energy and water utility companies. One flagship initiative involves strengthening water supply from the Komo River, a vital source for the capital’s growing population.

Under a previous program, the AfDB allocated a 200 million Unit of Account loan—equivalent to approximately 75 billion FCFA—to the Programme intégré pour l’alimentation en eau potable et l’assainissement de Libreville (PIAEPAL). The project aimed to rehabilitate and expand Libreville’s water network, which had deteriorated over nearly a decade. Key achievements included:

• Restoration of 310 kilometers of pipelines to improve distribution
• Installation of 21,000 new water meters to modernize billing and reduce waste
• Construction and renovation of water towers in strategic locations, including Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega

Despite these efforts, President Oligui Nguema acknowledged during his national address in June that the project’s outcomes fell short of expectations, highlighting the need for more targeted and efficient interventions.

Aligning development goals with national priorities

The meeting underscored Gabon’s commitment to restructuring its engagement with the AfDB to prioritize high-impact projects that directly enhance the quality of life for its citizens. The government is keen to ensure that future collaborations focus on sectors that align with the Project de Société, the president’s vision for socioeconomic transformation since taking office.

Both parties reaffirmed their dedication to fostering projects with measurable socio-economic benefits, ensuring that development funds translate into tangible improvements for communities. The AfDB remains one of Gabon’s top multilateral partners, actively supporting initiatives in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture across the country.