Gabon’s head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, welcomed Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank (BAD), to Libreville for a strategic meeting aimed at strengthening economic ties between the panafrican institution and the Gabonese government.
The high-level discussion took place on Friday and included Nouredine Kane Dia, the BAD’s resident representative in Gabon. Together, they reviewed the current portfolio of BAD-funded projects in the country and discussed national development priorities as outlined by President Oligui Nguema.
The meeting placed particular emphasis on two critical sectors: water and electricity supply, and agricultural development. According to official sources, these areas have been identified as key drivers for reducing food import dependency and fostering national self-sufficiency.
Water and electricity infrastructure: a national priority
The Gabonese administration has made expanding access to clean water and reliable electricity a cornerstone of its development agenda. During the talks, the BAD reaffirmed its commitment to financing large-scale infrastructure projects in collaboration with Gabon’s national utility, Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon.
One major initiative involves the Komo River water supply project, designed to bolster Libreville’s water network and extend coverage to surrounding regions. This program is part of a broader effort to modernize the capital’s aging infrastructure, which has suffered from chronic underinvestment for nearly a decade.
Key improvements under the water program
- Rehabilitation of 310 kilometers of water pipelines across Greater Libreville
- Installation of 21,000 new water meters to improve billing accuracy
- Construction and renovation of critical water towers in Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega
These upgrades were made possible through a €200 million loan from the BAD, equivalent to approximately 75 billion FCFA, allocated to the Integrated Program for Drinking Water and Sanitation in Libreville (PIAEPAL).
Despite these efforts, President Oligui Nguema noted during his recent state of the nation address that the project has not yet delivered the expected outcomes, signaling a need for accelerated implementation.
Deepening Gabon-BAD cooperation for sustainable development
President Oligui Nguema praised the strong partnership between Gabon and the BAD, emphasizing the need to deepen collaboration in sectors that directly enhance the quality of life for Gabonese citizens.
The two leaders agreed to prioritize high-impact socio-economic projects that align with Gabon’s long-term development vision. This strategic alignment ensures that future investments under the BAD-Gabon partnership will focus on areas of national urgency, including infrastructure, energy, and agriculture.
The BAD remains one of Gabon’s leading multilateral partners, playing a pivotal role in financing transformative projects across key sectors.
More Stories
Cameroon’s post-election detainees face ongoing legal battles
Dakar’s surprising cost of living: more expensive than Paris
Senegal’s constitutional reform: civil society engages opposition