Gabon’s president meets BAD chief to drive economic growth

The Gabonese head of state, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, met with the president of the African Development Bank (BAD), Sidi Ould Tah, in Libreville on Friday to discuss strengthening ties between the panafrican institution and Gabon.

Strategic discussions to boost national development

During the meeting, the BAD president was joined by Nouredine Kane Dia, the institution’s resident representative in Gabon. Together, they reviewed the current portfolio of the Bank Group in the country and aligned their priorities with the Gabonese leader’s development objectives.

The Gabonese presidency outlined key sectors requiring urgent attention, with water and electricity supply for Libreville and other regions topping the list. Additionally, boosting agricultural production was highlighted as a critical step to curb food imports and move closer to self-sufficiency.

Water and energy: critical infrastructure projects ahead

The African Development Bank has committed to supporting large-scale infrastructure projects in collaboration with Gabon’s water and energy utility company. A major focus is enhancing water supply from the Komo River to meet growing demand across the country.

In the water sector, the BAD previously financed the Integrated Program for Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation in Libreville (PIAEPAL) with a loan of 200 million Units of Account, equivalent to approximately 75 billion FCFA. The initiative aimed to modernize and expand Libreville’s water network, which had deteriorated over nearly ten years, through the rehabilitation of 310 kilometers of pipelines, installation of 21,000 new meters, and construction or renovation of water towers in Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega.

Challenges and future commitments

During his state of the nation address on June 15, President Oligui Nguema acknowledged that the PIAEPAL project had not delivered the expected outcomes. Despite these setbacks, he expressed strong confidence in the ongoing collaboration with the BAD, emphasizing the need to deepen their partnership to better align with Gabon’s national priorities.

The Gabonese government is now seeking to restructure its engagements with the Bank to ensure that future projects deliver measurable socio-economic benefits, aligning with the national development vision outlined by the president since his inauguration.

Strengthening Gabon’s economic future with the BAD

The African Development Bank remains one of Gabon’s key multilateral partners, actively financing initiatives in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture. Both parties reaffirmed their commitment to prioritizing high-impact projects that can drive sustainable growth and improve the quality of life for Gabonese citizens.