The President, addressing a joint session of deputies and senators during his annual State of the Nation speech, emphatically stated, “SEEG must undergo reform if we are to resolve this issue sustainably.” This declaration signals an acknowledgment of the current system’s shortcomings, particularly as Gabon has endured years of relentless water and electricity disruptions.
The presidential initiative is built upon two fundamental principles: disaggregating the management of water from that of electricity, and further segmenting the processes of production, distribution, and commercialization. This organizational restructuring, according to the head of state, aims to foster more effective and accountable utility management.
“Currently, a water leak can take up to three months to be repaired,” he elaborated, emphasizing that “if the sector’s revenues were directly tied to the quality of water service, interventions would be significantly swifter.” He firmly dismissed the notion that the water sector could not sustain itself without the financial backing of electricity sales.
These operational failures, he continued, are primarily attributable to the “poor governance” within the public company. “This moment of truth compels me to be candid with you. Beyond the inherent problems, the continuous load shedding is a direct consequence of SEEG’s failure to compensate its operators.”
However, the President also highlighted a shared responsibility with consumers, condemning “user incivility.” He detailed a range of detrimental practices, including non-payment of bills, concealment of meters, widespread fraud, theft of essential cables, sabotage of transformers, and illegal direct connections.
The technical assessment reveals a dire situation. Steve Saurel Legnongo, SEEG’s provisional administrator, estimated in early 2025 that “no structural investment has been made in the last two decades,” even as energy consumption demands nearly doubled between 2010 and 2024.
For the populace, the ramifications are severe. The capital city frequently experiences power outages due to a rotating load-shedding system, while water supply interruptions in some areas can persist for several months.
When questioned, SEEG subscribers offered diverse perspectives. Mariam Yama, a subscriber, welcomed the proposed separation of the two sectors, stating, “If water and electricity are separated, it implies there will be two entities focused on service efficiency. I believe this is a positive step.”
Nicole Esso, however, expressed more caution, remarking, “This isn’t a new issue. Water and power outages are commonplace in Gabon because equipment renewal hasn’t kept pace. I think we are unnecessarily impatient and pessimistic. The head of state is working; we must let him proceed.”
Patrick Ruffin, a retired military officer, pointed to financial irregularities, asserting, “The management of SEEG must be thoroughly reviewed.”
Cédric Pango, a corporate executive, raised a significant concern: “Within SEEG, it’s known that the electricity business is more profitable than water. The water sector has been neglected without investment. This is why I understand the President’s approach. However, if we separate the two activities, with the water sector being unprofitable, we risk facing even greater difficulties than before.”
In recent years, authorities have already implemented measures aimed at “alleviating the distress of the Gabonese people regarding this energy challenge.”
In February 2025, the State signed an agreement with the Turkish company Karpowership for the supply of 150 megawatts through two floating power plants, intended to serve the greater Libreville area. That same month, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea successfully interconnected their electrical grids.
For Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who assumed power via a coup in August 2023 before securing election with 94.85% of votes in April 2025, the rehabilitation of the electrical grid represents a crucial test of his credibility.
The announced reform must now transition into concrete actions, as residents across Libreville and the wider nation eagerly await tangible improvements.
The undertaking is monumental, encompassing technical hurdles, financial complexities, and the ongoing battle against fraud. Yet, for the populace, the fundamental question remains: will the coming weeks finally signal an end to the recurrent outages, or will this merely be another chapter in a protracted public service crisis?
