Gabon has taken a significant step in public service reform by splitting the management of water and electricity. On June 25, 2026, the Council of Ministers approved two bills establishing the “Gabonaise des Eaux” and “Électricité du Gabon,” both mixed-economy companies dedicated to drinking water and electricity, respectively.
By abandoning the integrated model of the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG), the government is opting for specialization. Each operator will now have a clearly delineated area of responsibility, making it easier to attract investment and enhance service quality. Gabon is not the first to take this route. Senegal assigned water to Sen’Eau and electricity to Senelec. In Côte d’Ivoire, SODECI and CIE handle these tasks separately. Morocco’s ONEE likewise keeps the two activities in distinct divisions to improve financial management and investment.
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Wherever this specialization has been implemented, it has led to clearer accountability, better governance, and a more favorable environment for lasting service improvements. The same is expected for SEEG, with the hope that the future management of these two entities will be far better than the current situation.
