The President of Gabon, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, welcomed the African Development Bank (BAD) President, Sidi Ould Tah, in Libreville to discuss deepening collaboration between the two entities. The meeting, held on Friday, focused on strengthening the partnership between Gabon and the pan-African financial institution.
Accompanied by Nouredine Kane Dia, the BAD’s resident representative in Gabon, Sidi Ould Tah reviewed the current portfolio of the Bank’s projects in the country. The discussions also highlighted Gabon’s development priorities as outlined by the Head of State, particularly in critical sectors such as water and electricity supply, as well as agriculture.
Water and electricity: key pillars for Gabon’s development
One of the primary objectives discussed was improving access to essential services in Libreville and across Gabon. The BAD has pledged support for financing major infrastructure projects, in collaboration with the Gabonese Energy and Water Company (SEEG). A key focus is enhancing water supply from the Komo River to address chronic shortages in the capital.
The African Development Bank has already played a pivotal role in financing the Integrated Water Supply and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PIAEPAL), allocating a loan of 200 million accounting units, equivalent to approximately 75 billion Central African CFA francs. This initiative aimed to modernize the region’s aging water infrastructure, which had deteriorated over nearly a decade of neglect.
The program successfully rehabilitated 310 kilometers of pipelines, installed 21,000 water meters, and constructed or renovated multiple water towers in areas such as Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega. Despite these efforts, recent assessments indicate that the project has not fully met its intended outcomes, prompting calls for further improvements.
Agriculture and food self-sufficiency take center stage
The Gabonese government has identified agriculture as a strategic sector to reduce reliance on food imports and move toward national food security. During the meeting, both parties explored ways to align BAD’s future investments with Gabon’s developmental goals, ensuring greater socio-economic impact for its citizens.
The Head of State emphasized the importance of prioritizing projects that directly enhance the quality of life for Gabonese citizens. The BAD, recognized as one of Gabon’s leading multilateral development partners, already funds initiatives across infrastructure, energy, and agriculture, reinforcing its commitment to the country’s growth.
Strengthening partnerships for sustainable progress
Both Gabon and the BAD reaffirmed their commitment to fostering projects with measurable socio-economic benefits. The discussions underscored the need to better structure engagements to ensure that interventions are closely aligned with national priorities, particularly in sectors critical to the population’s well-being.
With a shared vision for sustainable development, the collaboration between Gabon and the African Development Bank is set to advance key initiatives that drive progress and improve living standards across the nation.
