Libreville’s mont-bouët market: mayor mba confronts persistent extortion

The bustling informal economic heart of Libreville, the Mont-Bouët market, is unfortunately also a stage for a deeply rooted problem plaguing hundreds of vendors. The pervasive issue of systematic extortion at Gabon’s largest market has resurfaced as a central concern. This well-established system of illicit levies now stands as a significant challenge for the capital’s mayor, Eugène Mba.

Beneath the usual lively activity of the stalls and the calls of vendors, a much darker reality persists. Numerous traders, brought together by the Syndicat des débrouillards du Gabon (SDG) and the ONG Solidarité pour le développement du Gabon (ONG-SDG), have bravely spoken out. They are exposing what they describe as an “organized racket,” allegedly involving certain municipal employees and members of law enforcement.

According to testimonies gathered from market participants, the sums demanded far exceed the official regulatory taxes. “Municipal agents are collecting 2,000 FCFA per stall, instead of the stipulated 500 FCFA,” one vendor lamented. Even more concerning, receipts or official tickets for these payments are rarely issued, effectively concealing a widespread fraud that severely strains the meager budgets of these small businesses.

A persistent and entrenched challenge

Regrettably, this phenomenon is far from new. It has endured through successive municipal administrations without abating, seemingly protected by deep-seated influence networks and a notable absence of traceability for cash transactions. For many, this extortion has become a chronic affliction, further eroding profits already diminished by a general decline in purchasing power. 

Given the inadequate oversight mechanisms within the City Hall, the task ahead for Mayor Eugène Mba’s new municipal team appears formidable.

Digitalization offers a potential solution

In the face of what some are already calling a “mission impossible,” potential solutions are emerging to streamline the management of Libreville’s markets. Several economic observers believe the answer lies primarily in enhancing transparency and digitizing payments. By eliminating cash handling by intermediaries and instead favoring direct digital transactions to municipal coffers, the power of corrupt agents could be effectively curtailed.

For Mayor Eugène Mba, the stakes extend beyond mere urban management; it is about rebuilding trust between the municipal administration and the local economic operators who form the backbone of the capital’s subsistence economy. This also resonates with broader African economy news, showcasing challenges in informal sectors across the continent.