More than 200 days after the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) came to power, how is Gabon faring? Where are all the promises of sustainable economic development? Zoom in on the famous €4.5 billion plan on which the people of Gabon will be staring between 2024 and 2026.
In Gabon, the first six months of the Committee for the Transition and Restoration of Institutions (CTRI) have been fairly positive, according to the recent report by the military executive. With an increase in tax revenues, the clearance of foreign debt and the restoration of confidence among the country’s long-standing development partners (World Bank, French Development Agency-AFD, etc.), everything seems to be on track for this Central African country, which experienced its second coup d’état (after the one in 1964) on 30 August 2023.
But this is still not enough for General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who promised the people of Gabon “a better life and sustainable growth” when he was sworn in. To move from words to deeds, his teams recently unveiled an ambitious National Transition Development Plan (PNDT) to the tune of 3,000 billion CFA francs (4.5 billion euros). The initiative should enable massive investments to be made throughout the country over the next three years (2024-2026).
Funds for sustainable transport and decarbonisation of industries
In the transport sector, the construction and rehabilitation of road infrastructure is promised, including work on the Oyem bypass, which is essential for cross-border trade. Libreville is also planning to lower train fares in order to promote safe and environmentally-friendly travel. In terms of energy, 91% of the population already has access to electricity, according to official figures. The new measures should therefore focus on decarbonising the economy in the face of the industrial pollution raging in urban centres. Health and agro-ecology are also on the agenda.
The implementation of these projects will rely on the State budget and other sources of funding. Gabon’s transitional government has already mobilised “485 billion CFA francs (739 million euros) on the regional market”, according to the Gabonese Ministry of the Economy and Participations. This amount will initially be used to inject more funds into a number of promising projects already underway.
Well-being, water and sanitation at the heart of expected growth
This is the case of the Integrated Programme for Drinking Water Supply in Greater Libreville (Piaepal), supported by the African Development Bank (AfDB). By June 2025, it aims to improve water supply in the communes of Libreville, Akanda, Owendo and Ntoum, where a large part of the economic and sustainable development of the people of Gabon is at stake.
Read also-
And that’s not all. The €4.5 billion announced will also finance “enhancing the attractiveness of the Baie des Rois”. This will involve the delivery of a wastewater treatment plant (Step) at this strategic complex, which is to house amusement parks and green buildings along the coast. All of which could boost Gabon’s growth rate to over 3% by the end of the PNDT, compared with 2.3% at present.
Benoit-Ivan Wansi
