Gabon’s Head of State, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, met with Sidi Ould Tah, President of the African Development Bank (BAD), in Libreville on Friday. The high-level discussion centered on deepening collaboration between the pan-African institution and Gabon to accelerate development in strategic sectors.
Accompanied by Nouredine Kane Dia, the BAD’s Resident Representative in Gabon, the delegation reviewed the current portfolio of projects funded by the Bank in the country. The meeting also provided an opportunity to align priorities with the Gabonese government’s vision for sustainable growth.
Water and energy: Critical infrastructure for Libreville and beyond
Key priorities discussed included enhancing water and electricity supply across Libreville and other regions, as well as advancing agricultural development to curb food imports and move toward self-sufficiency. On the water front, the BAD is backing critical infrastructure projects in partnership with Gabon’s energy and water utility company.
A major initiative supported by the BAD is the Integrated Drinking Water and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PIAEPAL), backed by a 200 million Unit of Account loan—approximately 75 billion CFA francs. The program aimed to modernize and expand Libreville’s aging water network, which had suffered from years of neglect.
Through PIAEPAL, over 310 kilometers of pipelines were rehabilitated, 21,000 water meters installed, and multiple water towers constructed or renovated in areas such as Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega. Despite these efforts, recent assessments indicate the project has not fully met its objectives.
In his June 15 address to the nation, President Oligui Nguema acknowledged the shortcomings of the program and reaffirmed his commitment to improving service delivery in water and sanitation.
Economic transformation through agriculture
The agricultural sector emerged as another focal point in discussions. The Gabonese government sees land-based production as a pathway to reducing reliance on food imports and strengthening national food security. Investments in modern farming techniques and rural infrastructure are expected to play a central role in this transition.
Strengthening partnerships for sustainable growth
Both parties expressed strong interest in advancing projects with high social and economic impact, closely aligned with the national development agenda outlined by President Oligui Nguema since taking office. The BAD remains one of Gabon’s leading multilateral partners, with substantial investments in infrastructure, energy, and agriculture across the country.
