Gabon’s water and electricity crisis: promises of reform and delayed solutions
In a recent address, the President of Gabon reiterated the urgency of addressing the nation’s persistent water and electricity shortages. While acknowledging past efforts, he stressed that tangible improvements will require time and patience from citizens.
Water and electricity remain scarce resources for countless households across Greater Libreville and rural areas. Despite significant government investments during the Transition period, access to these essential services continues to lag behind expectations. The Head of State highlighted the government’s commitment to resolving the crisis, emphasizing that solutions are underway.
Long-standing frustrations over mismanagement over the past 14 years have fueled public demand for change. In response, the President outlined bold reforms for the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG), a state-owned entity plagued by inefficiencies. Criticizing its bloated workforce—comprising 2,300 employees but only 300 engineers and 500 field agents—the President announced plans to split the company in two. One division will focus solely on water services, while the other will manage electricity.
The restructuring aims to enhance governance by separating production, distribution, and commercialization processes. This strategic overhaul is expected to streamline operations and improve service delivery across the country.
