Gabon

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The Gabon Emerging Strategic Plan (PSGE) stems from a project proposed by His Excellency President Ali Bongo Ondimba in August 2009 themed ‘The Future in Confidence’. Under his leadership and on the basis of his orientations, a task force conducted the analyses, allowing to precisely frame this project into a vision for Gabon by 2025. Gabon aspires to be one of the 5 most competitive African countries by 2025. To do this, the government aims to establish the basic economic infrastructure to support competitiveness (transport, electricity, water, telecommunications infrastructure), inter alia.

The first strategic axis aims to develop the key factors of Gabon’s competitiveness, through four key dimensions considered as the foundations of emergence namely: sustainable development, governance, human capital and infrastructure. The fourth dimension of the PSGE focuses on infrastructure. A considerable effort will be aimed at developing basic infrastructure (transport, energy, telecommunications) as well as promoting the emergence of dynamic economic hubs throughout the territory, linked by quality infrastructure. Three strategic objectives will make it possible to actualise this:

  1. Opening up Gabon and modernising transport infrastructure
  2. Developing a sustainable, diversified and accessible electricity supply for all
  3. Building world-class digital infrastructure.

The development of transport infrastructure is one of the government’s priorities. The National Infrastructure Master Plan, developed by the National Agency for Major Works (ANGT), presents this ambitious programme in detail.

Energy

The objective of this is to optimise production capacities and secure the supply of electrical energy on a national scale by pooling power plants. The electricity networks of the Estuaire, Louetsi, the Eastern region, and the Northern region will be interconnected, thus linking all production centres and consumption centres. When justified, extensions of the RNTE will be carried out in order to strengthen the electrification of rural areas. The infrastructures to be built as part of this action are as follows:

  • The Mitzic-Oyem-Bitam interconnection line will create the interconnected network of the Northern region and evacuate the production of the Ngoulmendjim and Fe II hydroelectric power stations to the Mitzic, Oyem, and Bitam line
  • Mouila-Fougamou-g interconnection
  • The Lambaréné-Ntoum will interconnect the networks of the Louetsi and the Estuary and will allow the pooling of production from the Chutes de l’Impératrice hydroelectric power station
  • The Fougamou-Mandji interconnection line
  • The Franceville-Akiéni-Okondja loop will secure the interconnected network of the eastern region of Gabon and will optimise the production of the Grand Poubara dam
  • The modernisation of the Libreville network aims to secure the supply of electrical energy to the city by improving the city’s service through the network meshing, their reinforcement and their densification
  • The Koulamoutou-Popa and Lastourville-Okondja lines will make it possible to electrify the towns of Popa and Lastourville, thanks to an extension of the network in the Eastern region
  • The electrification of Cap Estérias to electrify all areas located outside the National Electricity Transmission Network (RNTE) in the nine (9) provinces of Gabon
  • The development of provincial rural electrification master plans, as well as a tariff model and a manual of procedures specific to rural electrification, will ensure the coherent implementation of the project and guarantee its sustainability. 
ICT

The terrestrial fibre optic backbone is a fundamental element of the national broadband infrastructure. It interconnects, by fibre optic, all the major cities of Gabon, the economic centres of emerging Gabon, and the submarine cables internationally.  A feasibility study will be conducted for the National Fiber Optic Network. To achieve this objective, a firm will be selected to conduct the feasibility studies for the National Fiber Optic Network.

The Gabonese postal network covers the country’s major cities. It does not take into account rural localities, while the Post Office in these localities constitutes one of the links that connects them to the rest of the country and to the outside world. This action will allow Gabon to have a master plan for the national service of the territory in post offices. Its execution will provide a reference tool for the coverage of the national territory by a modern and adapted postal network

Water & Sanitation

This action aims to develop not only a Water and Sanitation Code for Gabon but also water and sanitation master plans for provincial capitals. The Water Code will provide the legal basis for including water sector policy within the framework of Integrated Water Resources Management (IWRM). Following an in-depth technical audit, the following actions will be taken:

  • The rehabilitation of the drinking water distribution network in Libreville, including the repair of water leaks that are seriously disrupting the service.
  • The continuation of the construction of two reservoirs and the laying of a new pipeline between PK6 and PK9 to strengthen the drinking water supply in Libreville.
  • Extend constructed reservoirs to peri-urban areas and build a water treatment plant in Libreville.
  • Strengthening the production, transport, and storage capacities of collective drinking water and sanitation networks in all urban centres in Gabon in order to cover demand and develop rainwater and sewer drainage networks.
  • Access to drinking water and sanitation in rural areas.
  • Improve the supply of drinking water and sanitation services, water supply projects and the distribution of individual sanitation kits will be implemented.
  • Works in rural areas of the nine (9) provinces of Gabon. At least 80 village water supply boreholes will be built and 140 boreholes will be rehabilitated. The establishment of village water concessions awarded to local private operators will ensure the quality of services in all departments. 
Housing & Urban Development

The overall objective is to construct 35,000 plots/housing units. This action would make it possible to significantly increase the housing supply and facilitate access to new housing for the greatest number of people with the aim of social diversity. Thus, on average 5,000 housing units will be produced annually by encouraging social diversity, vertical and horizontal densification. To this end:

  • The State will allocate annually 5,000 registered, cadastral, titled, developed and equipped to private real estate developers and builders and housing and construction cooperatives.
  • Promote the acquisition of housing by civil servants (teachers, health personnel, army, etc.), in particular through the creation of housing cooperatives, the establishment of interest rates subsidised and financing by the Public Treasury at a rate of 0% and up to 30 to 40% of purchaser credits. The housing bonuses currently paid to civil servants could be used within the framework of these housing cooperatives.
  • A special programme for land restructuring and relocation of displaced populations from precarious and unpassable neighbourhoods to new urban centres with housing and social infrastructure will be implemented. This will promote access to land and social facilities and services for residents of irregular neighbourhoods and shanty towns.

Monitoring and evaluation of the implementation of PSGE programs and actions will make it possible to assess in real time the level of progress of the execution by each ministry of its respective programmes. This PSGE is results-driven, which will require a strengthening of the national statistical system, with the future National Statistics Agency playing a key role. The monitoring tool set up in this framework will have to be deployed at the level of each ministry. Monthly monitoring reports will be established from the results of the dashboards, with alerts if necessary. These reports will serve as support for the various monitoring and steering bodies.

Commentary

The Gabon Emerging Strategic Plan (PSGE) is a bold framework aiming to position Gabon among Africa’s top five competitive economies by 2025. It prioritises sustainable development through investments in infrastructure, human capital, and governance while addressing key challenges like rural electrification, housing, and water access. Its results-driven approach, with robust monitoring systems and private sector partnerships, underscores its ambition to enhance economic competitiveness and inclusivity. The policy reforms under each infrastructure sector are clear with measurable indicators for monitoring policy implementation, thus, empowering citizens to hold the government accountable. 

However, the PSGE faces challenges such as resource constraints and governance inefficiencies, requiring sustainable financing and stronger institutional capacity. Greater focus on renewable energy and local engagement can boost its impact. If well implemented, the plan promises transformative growth, driving Gabon toward sustainable and inclusive development.

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