Latest news with #Libreville
Zawya
2 days ago
- Business
- Zawya
Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and African Development Bank's (AfDB) Akinwumi Adesina Inaugurate Water Pumping Station for Greater Libreville
'Ten years without clean water: erased! Ten years without hope: forgotten! Ten years of suffering: over!'—Adesina to residents of Libreville's outlying neighborhoods. Adesina Receives Gabon's Highest Civilian Honor Gabonese President Brice Oligui Nguema and African Development Bank Group President Dr. Akinwumi Adesina ( on Monday jointly inaugurated a new drinking water pumping station, marking the end of a decade-long water crisis in PK5, a densely populated district of Libreville. The new PK5 pumping station, with a daily capacity of 57,600 cubic meters, is designed to deliver clean water to 128,000 residents across seven northern districts of the capital. 'These past few weeks, we've finally felt like citizens of real capital. Water is flowing from our taps at last,' said Sandrine Onanga, a 33-year-old mother living in PK5. 'It has been eight years since we last saw a drop of water. We had even forgotten what a tap looked like,' added Astrid Momboukou, who joined the crowd to witness the inauguration of the facility. For years, taps had run dry in parts of Libreville. 'That's all behind us now. No more lugging water jugs for kilometers. No more waiting late into the night for police tankers to deliver water every two or three days,' said Sandrine, smiling under the light rain that fell over Libreville that Monday. The new station was inaugurated in the presence of senior government officials, members of the diplomatic corps, development partners, and an enthusiastic local population. It forms part of the Integrated Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PAIEPAL). The program, with a total investment of €117.4 million, is financed through a €75.4 million loan from the African Development Bank and a €42 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF), backed by the People's Bank of China and administered by the Bank. The program aims to improve access to potable water and sanitation services in Libreville, strengthen sector governance, and build capacity for long-term transformation. The initiative ensures that more than 300,000 people—approximately 31% of Libreville's 967,095 residents—now have sustainable and permanent access to clean water. The beneficiary communes include Libreville, Akanda, Owendo, and Ntoum. Adesina emphasized the life-changing impact of the new pumping station: 'Ten years without drinking water: erased! Ten years without hope: forgotten! Ten years of suffering: ended!' The Bank, a reliable and strategic partner for Gabon Adesina also highlighted the Bank's unwavering development support for Gabon during his ten-year tenure. 'From 1974 to 2014, the Bank approved $1 billion in financing for Gabon. Since my election in 2015, we have committed an additional $1.5 billion—1.5 times the previous 40-year total,' he said. According to Philippe Tonangoye, Gabon's Minister for Universal Access to Water and Energy, the project has significantly improved water infrastructure. It involved renewing 150 kilometers of pipelines, upgrading and extending another 150 kilometers of distribution networks, building and rehabilitating multiple water towers, and installing around 60 public standpipes across Libreville and surrounding areas. 'The African Development Bank spared no effort to make this program a reality,' said Minister Tonangoye. 'Some of these installations had not seen a single drop of water in ten years. My gratitude goes to the Bank for its commitment to Gabon.' President Adesina receives top Gabonese honor Ahead of the inauguration, Gabonese President Oligui Nguema conferred on Adesina the insignia of Grand Officer of the Order of the Gabonese Merit, one of Gabon's highest civilian honors, in a ceremony witnessed by his wife, Grace Adesina. Recognized for his visionary leadership, Akinwumi Adesina—dubbed 'Africa's Chief Optimist'—will complete his second and final ten-year term as President of the African Development Bank Group on 31 August. Since 2015, he has led transformative projects across Africa under the Bank's five strategic priorities, the 'High 5s' ( Through these priorities, 565 million people have seen their lives transformed. In the water sector alone, 63 million people gained access to clean water and 34 million to sanitation services. Flagship projects in Gabon For decades, the Bank has supported Gabon's socioeconomic development by helping diversify strategic sectors. It is now Gabon's leading infrastructure partner. Among flagship projects, the Bank financed the New Owendo International Port. With a capacity of four million tonnes per year, this multi-purpose port (minerals, timber, containers) has reduced handling costs by 30% and become a critical link in Gabon's logistics chain. In this context, the Gabonese President took Dr. Adesina on a tour of the La Baie des Rois Special Investment Zone, located 18 km from the port. The maritime façade of the Gabonese capital aims to be modern to attract international real estate investors to revitalize the country's economy and create wealth for the population. The Bank is also helping Gabon develop the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric power station—the country's first energy PPP—which will add 40 megawatts of reliable, affordable, and clean energy. It is also financing the Ndende-Doussala road, a key segment of the Libreville-Brazzaville corridor that will connect Gabon and Congo and boost regional integration. With an active portfolio of $61.26 million, the African Development Bank Group's strategy in Gabon focuses on two priority areas: supporting the development of sustainable infrastructure to drive industrialization, and strengthening economic governance and the business climate to promote social inclusion. Following the inauguration, President Oligui Nguema and Akinwumi Adesina visited two families in separate districts that were once severely impacted by water shortages. They also toured the National School for Hearing-Impaired Children, which serves hundreds of students. Since gaining access to clean drinking water, the school has seen a significant improvement in hygiene conditions. Distributed by APO Group on behalf of African Development Bank Group (AfDB). Dr. Adesina's speech (French) ( Pictures ( Contact: Romaric Ollo Hien Communication and External Relations Department media@ About the African Development Bank Group: The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) is Africa's premier development finance institution. It comprises three distinct entities: the African Development Bank (AfDB), the African Development Fund (ADF) and the Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF). On the ground in 44 African countries with an external office in Japan, the AfDB contributes to the economic development and the social progress of its 54 regional member states. For more information:
Yahoo
02-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Eramet's response to the Gabonese government's announcement on crude manganese export ban starting in 2029
Paris, 2 June 2025, 8:00 a.m. PRESS RELEASE Eramet's response to the Gabonese government's announcement on crude manganese export ban starting in 2029 Eramet takes note of the Gabonese government's intention to ban crude manganese exports from January 1st, 2029. This move is described as part of the country's stated ambition to strengthen its industrial base, initiated by H.E. President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and his Government. A long-standing partner of Gabon and with over 30 years of presence in the country, Eramet has a track record as a committed investor in Gabon, supporting the country's industrial development ambitions through investing in sustainable mining operations, constructing value-adding transformation facilities and upgrading key infrastructure. Eramet acknowledges the Government's ambition and, as the main co-shareholder in Comilog, will continue to work with the authorities in a spirit of constructive partnership and mutual respect. Eramet will remain attentive to this policy shift and will work collaboratively to identify further opportunities for it to contribute to Gabon's economic development in the long term, whilst maintaining the sustainability of its mining and metals operations. In particular, the Group aims to safeguard the strategic role of Comilog and Setrag in being an internationally significant supplier of manganese to the global steel industry — and the 10,460 Gabonese jobs they sustain. Calendar 30.07.2025: Publication of 2025 half-year results 30.10.2025: Publication of 2025 Group third-quarter turnover ABOUT ERAMET Eramet transforms the Earth's mineral resources to provide sustainable and responsible solutions to the growth of the industry and to the challenges of the energy transition. Its employees are committed to this through their civic and contributory approach in all the countries where the mining and metallurgical group is present. Manganese, nickel, mineral sands and lithium: Eramet recovers and develops metals that are essential to the construction of a more sustainable world. As a privileged partner of its industrial clients, the Group contributes to making robust and resistant infrastructures and constructions, more efficient means of mobility, safer health tools and more efficient telecommunications devices. Fully committed to the era of metals, Eramet's ambition is to become a reference for the responsible transformation of the Earth's mineral resources for living well together. INVESTOR CONTACTDirector of Investor RelationsSandrine Nourry-DabiT. +33 1 45 38 37 02 PRESS CONTACTMedia Relations OfficerNedjma AmraniT. +33 6 65 65 44 Attachment 2025 06 02 - Eramet - PR - Response_ Gabonese government's Announcement EN VFSign in to access your portfolio
Arab News
28-05-2025
- Business
- Arab News
Power outage hits Gabonese capital
SEEG said it had managed to restore power to around half of its customers in the capitalFor several months last year, electricity supply was disrupted due to significant infrastructure problemsLIBERVILLE: Gabon's capital Libreville was without electricity for several hours Wednesday following a 'major technical incident,' the national energy supplier early morning power outage 'resulted in the loss of all production facilities in the Libreville Interconnected Network (RIC),' the Gabonese Water and Energy Company (SEEG) said without giving further said it had managed to restore power to around half of its customers in the capital 'by early morning,' adding its teams were working to find and analyze the fault, which AFP reporters said also cut Internet and mobile phone Monday, the Gabonese presidency had announced the end of an interim administration of SEEG started in August on the back of a slew of supply of Wednesday, 'management of SEEG will be fully transferred' and it will return to its majority shareholder, the Gabonese Strategic Investment Fund (FGIS), the company several months last year, electricity supply was disrupted due to significant infrastructure problems.A rotating load shedding system was established leading to supply cuts in entire neighborhoods for hours at a time, to enable power supply for other parts of the city.A protocol signed between the Gabonese government and Turkish firm Karpowership for supply of 70 megawatts via two floating power plants to cover greater Libreville saw the situation improve in recent the network is a top priority for Gabon's leader Brice Oligui Nguema, a general who overthrew the Bongo dynasty and won 94.85 percent of the vote in April's election, 19 months on from his August 2023 this month he vowed to provide 'universal access' to drinking water and electricity.
Free Malaysia Today
24-05-2025
- Politics
- Free Malaysia Today
Gabon's ousted leader and family released from detention
Ali Bongo Ondimba had been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since 2023. (EPA Images pic) LUANDA : Gabon's former leader Ali Bongo Ondimba, who was detained after being ousted in a 2023 coup, has been released and has arrived in Luanda with his family, Angola's presidency said today. Bongo, whose family ruled Gabon for 55 years, had been under house arrest in the capital Libreville since being overthrown in August 2023. His wife and son had also been in detention, accused of embezzling public funds. A statement on the Angolan presidency's Facebook page announcing the arrival of the Bongo family in Luanda was accompanied by photographs showing the former leader being welcomed at an airport. The 'Bongo family has been released and has just arrived in Luanda', it said. The release of the family followed talks between Angola President Joao Lourenco and Gabon's new leader, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, the statement said, without giving details. Oligui, a former junta leader, seized power in the oil-rich country in the August 2023 coup that ended the 55-year rule of the Bongo dynasty. The general was sworn in earlier this month after winning 94.85% in an April 12 vote in which international observers signalled no major irregularities. Oligui's main rival, Alain-Claude Bilie By Nze, who was the last prime minister under Bongo, said the family's release demonstrated that their detention 'did not respect the framework of law and justice'. 'President Oligui Nguema did not show clemency: he had to bow to international demands after what everyone understood to be an abuse of power,' he said. Lawyers for Bongo's French-born wife Sylvia, 62, and son Noureddin, 33, alleged they suffered torture while in detention. Several Gabonese media reported recently that they had been moved from cells in an annex of the presidency to a family residence in Libreville. Member of the transitional parliament, Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka, said the move of the family 'in the middle of the night and in total silence' was 'a real disgrace for the first days' of the new government. 'Where is Gabon's sovereignty?' he asked on social media, charging the Bongo family's release was 'the price to pay' for Gabon's reintegration into the African Union, which is currently headed by Lourenco. The African Union announced on April 30 that it had lifted sanctions against Gabon, which was suspended from the organisation following the coup. The country of 2.3 million people has endured high unemployment, regular power and water shortages, and heavy government debt despite its oil wealth. The Gabon presidency announced on social media on May 12 that Lourenco had met Oligui in Libreville for talks focused 'on strengthening bilateral cooperation, the smooth running of democratic elections marking the end of the transition in Gabon'. They also discussed the lifting of sanctions following Gabon's reintegration into the AU. The 66-year-old Bongo, who is suspected to be in poor health, came to power in 2009, taking over from his father, Omar Bongo Ondimba, who ruled for 41 years. In 2016, he was narrowly re-elected for a second term by a few thousand votes, beating opposition challenger Jean Ping after a campaign marred by bloody clashes and allegations of fraud. He suffered a stroke in October 2018 while on a visit to Saudi Arabia and there was speculation about his health and fitness to govern when he returned home. His public appearances were rare, and the times when he spoke live outside the confines of the presidential palace were rarer still. Bongo ruled for 14 years until he was overthrown moments after being proclaimed the winner in a presidential election the army and opposition declared fraudulent.
BBC News
16-05-2025
- Politics
- BBC News
Ali Bongo: Gabon's ousted ex-president and family arrive in Angola
Gabon's former President, Ali Bongo, who was deposed in a 2023 coup, has left the country and is now in Angola, the authorities there have Angolan presidency added in a statement posted on social media that Bongo's family had been released from detention and were with him in wife and son, Sylvia and Noureddin, faced corruption charges and had been imprisoned in 2023. They have not yet publicly commented on the charges, however Ms Bongo's lawyer has described her detention as arbitrary and illegal. The family's release comes after Angolan President João Lourenço, who currently heads the African Union, visited Libreville and held talks with his Gabonese counterpart Brice Oligui Nguema - the former general who led the coup against Bongo before being elected president last remains unclear if the legal proceedings against Sylvia and Noureddin Bongo will Bongo, whose father Omar Bongo ruled Gabon for more than four decades, led the country for 14 years until the 2023 his toppling he was placed under house arrest where he reportedly remained, although Gabonese authorities say he was free to move about as he wished. His wife and son were detained in prison and then reportedly released to house arrest last has been vocal in condemning what he described as the "violence and torture" faced by his wife and son, although the authorities had denied subjecting the pair to cruel their 14 years in power, the Bongo family had been accused of accumulating wealth for themselves at the expense of the country - allegations they Gabon being an oil-rich nation, a third of its population lives below the poverty line, according to the UN. More stories from the BBC about Gabon: Who is Ali Bongo?Why Gabon's coup leader is bucking a trend by embracing democracyBrice Oligui Nguema: The coup leader who stormed to election victory Go to for more news from the African us on Twitter @BBCAfrica, on Facebook at BBC Africa or on Instagram at bbcafrica
