Gabon’s water and electricity crisis: reforms pledged but delays persist

While the President has addressed water and electricity shortages before, the current situation demands renewed urgency. He reaffirmed his commitment to transparency, acknowledging that steady access to tap water remains a distant goal for many households across Libreville and rural Gabon.

Despite substantial investments made by the government during the Transition, reliable water and electricity remain scarce in large parts of the country. The Head of State admitted that “solutions are in development” but stressed that progress will not happen overnight. For now, Gabonese citizens must continue exercising patience.

Frustration is mounting as daily life is disrupted by persistent shortages. The President criticized decades of mismanagement, particularly within the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG), and vowed to end the suffering by restructuring the struggling utility company.

With full awareness of SEEG’s operational weaknesses, the President announced a major reform: splitting the company into two separate entities—one dedicated to water services and the other to electricity. He highlighted the need for change, stating, “SEEG cannot invest in its current form. It requires reform. The company is overstaffed, with 2,300 employees but only 300 engineers and roughly 500 field agents.”

This restructuring aims to enhance oversight in production, distribution, and billing, ensuring more efficient and accountable service delivery for all Gabonese.