Gabon’s president proposes radical overhaul for chronic water and electricity issues

During his annual State of the Nation address to assembled lawmakers, the president emphatically declared, «The SEEG must undergo reform if we are to resolve this issue sustainably.»

This pronouncement serves as an acknowledgment of the current system’s inadequacy, as Gabon has endured years of persistent water and electricity disruptions.

The presidential initiative rests on two fundamental principles: separating the management of water resources from that of electricity, and further segmenting production, distribution, and commercialization within each utility. This structural reorganization, according to the head of state, promises to foster more efficient and accountable administration.

He elaborated, «Currently, a water leak can take up to three months to repair. If the sector’s revenues were directly tied to the quality of water service, interventions would be significantly swifter.» The president dismissed arguments suggesting the water sector could not sustain itself without subsidies from electricity earnings.

These operational failures stem from what is described as «poor governance» within the public company. The president candidly stated, «This moment of truth compels me to be frank with you. Beyond the inherent problems, the continuous load shedding is also a consequence of SEEG failing to compensate its operators.»

However, responsibility is also shared with consumers. The head of state condemned «user misconduct,» citing detrimental practices such as non-payment of bills, concealment of meters, fraud, cable theft, transformer sabotage, and illegal direct connections.

A technical assessment paints a grim picture. Early in 2025, Steve Saurel Legnongo, the interim administrator for SEEG, observed that «no significant structural investments have been made in the last two decades,» even as the nation’s energy consumption demands nearly doubled between 2010 and 2024.

The repercussions for the populace are severe. The capital frequently experiences rolling power outages, while some areas endure water cuts lasting for months.

When questioned, SEEG subscribers offered diverse perspectives. Mariam Yama expressed optimism about the proposed separation, stating, «If water and power are managed separately, it implies two distinct entities dedicated to service efficiency. I believe this will be beneficial.»

Nicole Esso, however, adopted a more cautious stance: «This is not a new issue. Water and power outages are widespread in Gabon because equipment upgrades have not kept pace. I think we are needlessly impatient and pessimistic. The head of state is working on this, and we should allow him time.»

Patrick Ruffin, a retired military officer, highlighted financial mismanagement, asserting, «The management of SEEG must be re-evaluated.»

Cédric Pango, a corporate executive, raised a significant concern: «Within SEEG, it is well known that the electricity business is more profitable than the water business. The water sector has been neglected without 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 already taken steps to «alleviate the distress of the Gabonese people facing this energy crisis.»

In February 2025, the government formalized an agreement with the Turkish firm Karpowership to supply 150 megawatts through two floating power plants designated to serve Greater Libreville. That same month, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea successfully interconnected their electrical grids.

For Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who assumed power through a coup in August 2023 and was subsequently elected with 94.85% of the votes in April 2025, the revitalization of the electrical network is a crucial test of his administration’s credibility.

The announced reforms must now translate into tangible actions, as residents of Libreville and across the country eagerly await concrete improvements.

Between technical hurdles, financial complexities, and the battle against fraud, the undertaking is monumental. Yet, for the population, the fundamental question remains: will the coming weeks finally signal an end to the recurrent outages, or will this be merely another chapter in an enduring public service crisis?