• The World Bank approved $150 million to improve water and electricity services in Gabon.

• The project will target service quality, reliability, and financial sustainability, with climate objectives.

• The program will benefit about 535,000 people, including rural and peri-urban populations.

The World Bank announced on February 5, that it approved $150 million in financing to support a project aimed at improving access to basic services in the country.

The International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) provided the financing under the Access to Basic Services and Performance Improvement Project (PASBAP). The operation aims to modernize water and electricity services, improve the quality and reliability of existing supply, and strengthen the financial sustainability of service operators. At the same time, the project integrates climate change adaptation and mitigation objectives.

According to the World Bank, 90% of Gabon’s urban population has access to basic water services, while 94% has access to electricity. However, frequent service interruptions and inadequate quality continue to undermine these access levels. By contrast, rural areas show significantly lower access rates, with 55% for water and 29% for electricity. Moreover, the country faces a near absence of sanitation infrastructure and fecal sludge treatment facilities, which increases the risk of water resource contamination.

The project should benefit approximately 535,000 people nationwide. In addition, PASBAP places strong emphasis on climate resilience and the deployment of low-carbon solutions, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.

The operation aligns with Gabon’s National Development Plan 2025–2032, the World Bank Country Partnership Framework, the Group’s Water Strategy, and the Mission 300 initiative, which aims to expand access to electricity in Africa by 2030. However, Gabon has not yet published its Energy Compact, unlike several Central and West African countries. This document identifies challenges, opportunities, and targets for achieving universal electricity access under Mission 300.

This article was initially published in French by Abdoullah Diop

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum