The President of the African Development Bank (BAD), Sidi Ould Tah, held a meeting in Libreville with Gabonese head of state Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema to discuss ways to strengthen ties between the panafrican institution and the Central African nation.
During the audience, Ould Tah was joined by the BAD’s resident representative in Gabon, Nouredine Kane Dia. The discussions focused on reviewing the current portfolio of the Bank’s projects in the country and aligning them with the Gabonese leader’s development priorities.
Key development priorities highlighted by Oligui Nguema
According to the presidency, the Gabonese government’s top priorities include improving access to clean water and reliable electricity across Libreville and other regions, as well as boosting agricultural productivity. The latter is seen as a strategic move to reduce food imports and move closer to national self-sufficiency.
Water and energy: major infrastructure projects underway
The BAD has pledged its support for critical infrastructure projects in collaboration with Gabon’s energy and water utility, Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon. One of the flagship initiatives involves financing water supply projects sourced from the Komo River to address the growing demand in urban and rural areas.
In the water sector, the Bank has already contributed to the Integrated Program for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Libreville (PIAEPAL) through a loan of 200 million Units of Account, equivalent to approximately 75 billion Central African francs. This initiative aimed to modernize and expand the Greater Libreville water network, which had deteriorated over nearly ten years, by rehabilitating 310 kilometers of pipelines, installing 21,000 new meters, and constructing or renovating reservoirs in areas such as Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega.
Challenges and future commitments
Speaking during the State of the Nation address in mid-June, President Oligui Nguema acknowledged that the water program has yet to fully deliver its expected outcomes. Despite this, he expressed strong appreciation for the robust relationship between Gabon and the BAD and expressed his desire to deepen this partnership.
The Gabonese government is keen to better structure its engagements with the Bank to ensure that future projects prioritize sectors that directly enhance living standards for citizens. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing high-impact socio-economic initiatives that align with the national development agenda outlined by the President since taking office.
The BAD remains one of Gabon’s key multilateral partners, actively financing projects in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture across the country.
