Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and African Development Bank President Sidi Ould Tah © Com PR
The President of the African Development Bank (AfDB), Sidi Ould Tah, met with Gabonese Head of State Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Libreville on Friday to discuss deepening cooperation between the panafrican institution and Gabon.
Accompanied by the AfDB’s resident representative in Gabon, Nouredine Kane Dia, the meeting provided an opportunity to review the status of the Bank’s portfolio in the country and align its priorities with the national development agenda outlined by the President.
According to official sources, the Gabonese government’s top priorities include improving access to water and electricity across Libreville and the rest of the country, alongside accelerating agricultural development to curb food imports and move toward self-sufficiency.
On the water and energy front, the AfDB reaffirmed its commitment to financing key infrastructure projects in partnership with Gabon’s national utility companies, particularly efforts to expand water supply from the Komo River.
In the water sector, the AfDB has already played a pivotal role by funding the Integrated Program for Safe Drinking Water and Sanitation in Libreville (PIAEPAL) with a loan of 200 million Units of Account, roughly equivalent to 75 billion FCFA.
The initiative aimed to revitalize and expand the capital’s aging water network, which had deteriorated over nearly ten years. This included rehabilitating 310 kilometers of pipelines, installing 21,000 new meters, and constructing or upgrading water towers in Ntoum, Bikélé-Nzong, Alénakiri, and Sotega.
During a national address on June 15, President Oligui Nguema acknowledged that the PIAEPAL project had fallen short of expectations in delivering the anticipated benefits to communities.
The Head of State also highlighted the strong and productive relationship between Gabon and the AfDB, expressing his commitment to strengthening this partnership. Official statements emphasized Gabon’s intention to refine its engagement strategy with the AfDB, ensuring future projects are precisely aligned with national priorities to enhance living conditions for citizens.
Both parties underscored their shared determination to prioritize initiatives with measurable socio-economic impact, closely aligned with the long-term development vision outlined by the President since assuming office.
The AfDB remains one of Gabon’s leading multilateral partners, actively supporting projects across critical sectors such as infrastructure, energy, and agriculture.
