The Gabonese Minister of State for Transports, Merchant Marine, and Logistics, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, recently traveled to Dakar for a working session with his Senegalese counterpart, Abdoul Ahad Ndiaye. This strategic meeting centered on upgrading infrastructure and consolidating bilateral ties, establishing a collaborative framework for expertise sharing between Libreville and Dakar.
Gabon seeks to emulate Senegal’s successful structural models to reorganize its domestic transport networks. During the working visit, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi highlighted the productive exchanges with Senegalese teams concerning diverse challenges in both land and air transit. Senegal’s robust management of the Blaise Diagne International Airport, alongside its expanding road and railway networks, serves as an inspiring benchmark for Gabonese authorities.
Aligning standards and boosting technical cooperation
The two ministers explored ways to align regulatory and safety frameworks with international benchmarks while ensuring seamless operations. Their discussions also focused on pooling expertise in technical management, airport security protocols, and specialized training for sector professionals.
By leveraging Senegal’s proven track record, Gabon aims to accelerate the upgrade of its own facilities. This initiative will optimize national traffic flow and support the restructuring of public transit networks, delivering a much-needed boost to a sector ripe for modernization. Furthermore, the Gabonese government representative indicated that this collaborative learning process involves strategic planning for logistical infrastructure and multimodal transport. The goal is to establish seamless connectivity between land routes and air links, effectively unlocking remote regions and facilitating the movement of passengers and cargo alike, with Libreville looking to Dakar as a primary blueprint.
Strengthening South-South cooperation
Beyond technical alignments, this partnership underscores a shared commitment to fostering South-South cooperation. By combining resources and exchanging best practices, Gabon and Senegal are positioning the transport sector as a vital catalyst for economic growth, bilateral trade, and broader continental integration.
