Addressing members of parliament and senators gathered in Congress during his annual State of the Nation address, the president firmly declared, «The SEEG must undergo reform if we are to resolve these issues sustainably».
This statement signals an acknowledgment of the current operational model’s deficiencies, as Gabon has endured years of persistent water and electricity outages.
The presidential initiative is built upon two core principles: first, to separate the management of water services from electricity; and second, to unbundle the production, distribution, and commercialization aspects of each utility. This restructuring, according to the head of state, promises more efficient and accountable management.
«Currently, a water leak can take up to three months to repair. If the sector’s revenue were directly tied to the quality of water service, interventions would be significantly swifter», he explained, refuting the notion that the water sector cannot sustain itself without electricity revenues.
The operational failures are largely attributable to «poor governance» within the public company. «This moment of truth compels me to be frank with you. Beyond the inherent problems, continuous load shedding occurs because SEEG fails to compensate its operators», the president elaborated.
However, responsibility is also shared with consumers. The head of state condemned «the incivility of users», citing detrimental practices such as non-payment of bills, burying meters, fraud, theft of cables, sabotage of transformers, and illegal direct connections.
The technical assessment paints a grim picture. Steve Saurel Legnongo, SEEG’s provisional administrator, estimated in early 2025 that «no structural investments have been made over the past two decades», even as energy consumption demands nearly doubled between 2010 and 2024.
The repercussions for the populace are severe. The capital frequently experiences rotating power cuts, while water disruptions in some areas can persist for several months.
When questioned, SEEG subscribers offered diverse perspectives. Mariam Yama, a subscriber, welcomed the separation of the two sectors: «If water and electricity are managed separately, it implies two entities focused on service efficiency. I believe this is a positive step».
Nicole Esso expressed more caution: «This isn’t a new problem. Water and power cuts are rampant in Gabon because equipment upgrades haven’t kept pace. I believe we are needlessly impatient and pessimistic. The head of state is working on this, we must allow him time».
Patrick Ruffin, a retired military officer, highlighted financial mismanagement: «The management of SEEG must be re-evaluated».
Cédric Pango, a corporate executive, raised a significant concern: «Within SEEG, it’s widely known that electricity operations are more profitable than water services. The water division has been neglected without investment. In that sense, I understand the head of state’s approach. However, if we separate the two activities, a non-profitable water sector risks facing even greater difficulties than before».
In recent years, authorities have already implemented measures to «alleviate the distress of the Gabonese people regarding this energy challenge».
In February 2025, the State signed an agreement with the Turkish company Karpowership to supply 150 megawatts through two floating power plants intended for the Greater Libreville area. That same month, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea successfully interconnected their electrical grids.
For Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who assumed power via a coup in August 2023 before being elected with 94.85% of votes in April 2025, the rehabilitation of the electrical network is a crucial test of his credibility.
The announced reform must now translate into concrete actions, as residents of Libreville and across the country eagerly await tangible improvements.
Navigating technical hurdles, financial complexities, and the fight against fraud, the undertaking is monumental. Yet, for the population, the question remains straightforward: will the coming weeks finally mark an end to the recurring outages, or will this be merely another chapter in a persistent public service crisis?
