Gabon’s president outlines bold reform for struggling water and electricity services

Addressing a joint session of deputies and senators in Congress, Gabon’s president unequivocally stated, “The SEEG must undergo reform if we are to permanently resolve this issue.” This declaration, delivered during his annual address on the state of the Nation, signals a clear acknowledgment of the current model’s failure, as persistent water and electricity outages have plagued Gabon for many years, impacting daily life and hampering progress in society Africa.

The presidential initiative is built upon two fundamental principles: the complete separation of water management from electricity management, and the unbundling of production, distribution, and commercialization activities within each sector. According to the head of state, this new organizational structure promises to usher in a more efficient and accountable approach to utility governance Africa.

He elaborated on the rationale, explaining, “Currently, a water leak might take up to three months to be repaired. If the sector’s revenue were directly tied to the quality of water service, interventions would be significantly swifter.” This statement directly challenges the notion that the water sector cannot sustain itself without financial support from electricity revenues.

The root cause of these widespread dysfunctions, he asserted, lies in the “poor governance” of the public company. “This moment of truth compels me to be frank with you. Beyond the inherent problems, the continuous load shedding is a direct consequence of SEEG failing to compensate its operators,” the president continued, shedding light on the critical financial mismanagement within the utility.

However, accountability also extends to consumers. The head of state condemned what he termed “user incivility,” detailing a range of detrimental practices: non-payment of bills, concealment of meters, widespread fraud, theft of cables, sabotage of transformers, and illegal direct connections. These issues collectively undermine the stability of Gabon’s infrastructure.

A stark technical assessment paints a grim picture. Steve Saurel Legnongo, the provisional administrator of SEEG, noted in early 2025 that “no significant structural investments have been made in the last two decades,” even as energy consumption demands have nearly doubled between 2010 and 2024. This severe lack of investment has left the network ill-equipped to meet growing needs.

The repercussions for the populace are dire. The capital city frequently endures rotating power outages, while in some areas, water supply interruptions can last for several months, severely impacting residents’ quality of life.

Subscribers of SEEG offered mixed reactions when questioned about the proposed reforms. Mariam Yama, a subscriber, expressed optimism regarding the potential separation of the two sectors: “If water and electricity are managed separately, it implies two distinct entities focused on service efficiency. I believe this will be beneficial.”

Nicole Esso, however, adopted a more cautious stance, observing, “This isn’t a new problem. Water and power cuts are rampant in Gabon because equipment upgrades haven’t kept pace. I think we are perhaps too impatient and pessimistic. The head of state is working on this, we must give him time.”

Patrick Ruffin, a retired military officer, squarely pointed to financial irregularities, emphasizing, “The management of SEEG must be thoroughly re-evaluated.”

Cédric Pango, a business executive, raised a significant concern: “Within SEEG, it is well known that electricity operations are more profitable than water operations. The water sector has been neglected without adequate investment. In that sense, I understand the president’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 implemented measures aimed at “alleviating the distress of the Gabonese people regarding this energy crisis.”

In February 2025, the Gabonese state formalized an agreement with the Turkish company Karpowership for the provision of 150 megawatts through two floating power plants, intended to supply the greater Libreville area. That same month also saw Gabon and Equatorial Guinea successfully interconnecting their electrical grids, a step towards regional energy stability.

For Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who assumed power following an August 2023 coup and was subsequently elected with 94.85% of votes in April 2025, the rehabilitation of the electricity network represents a crucial test of his administration’s credibility in African politics.

The announced reform must now transition into concrete actions, as residents of Libreville and across the nation eagerly await tangible improvements. The task ahead is monumental, encompassing technical challenges, significant financial hurdles, and an ongoing battle against fraud. Yet, for the population, the fundamental question remains: will the coming weeks finally usher in an end to the chronic outages, or will this simply be another chapter in Gabon’s prolonged public service crisis?