Decade-Long Water Crisis in Gabon Erased: African Development Bank Group's Transformational Project Reaches 300,000 Beneficiaries

Strategic Insights -

A decade-long struggle to access clean drinking water has finally come to an end for over 300,000 residents of Libreville, as the African Development Bank Group inaugurates a new drinking water pumping station in PK5, a densely populated district of the capital. The new facility, 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. The Integrated Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PAIEPAL) has significantly improved access to potable water and sanitation services in Libreville, strengthening sector governance and building capacity for long-term transformation.

Key Takeaways:

  • The African Development Bank Group's Integrated Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PAIEPAL) aims to improve access to potable water and sanitation services in Libreville, with a total investment of €117.4 million, financed through a €75.4 million loan from the African Development Bank and a €42 million loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF).
  • The program has ensured that 300,000 people (approximately 31% of Libreville's 967,095 residents) now have sustainable and permanent access to clean water, with beneficiary communes including Libreville, Akanda, Owendo, and Ntoum.
  • 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.
  • The African Development Bank Group has committed an additional €1.5 billion to Gabon since 2015, surpassing the previous 40-year total of $1 billion.
  • The program hasalso 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 Group has supported Gabon's socioeconomic development by helping diversify strategic sectors and is now Gabon's leading infrastructure partner.
  • The Bank has financed the New Owendo International Port, the Kinguélé Aval hydroelectric power station, and the Ndende-Doussala road, a key segment of the Libreville-Brazzaville corridor.

Statistics:

  • 300,000 people (approximately 31% of Libreville's 967,095 residents) have now permanent access to clean water.
  • €117.4 million is the total investment for the Integrated Drinking Water Supply and Sanitation Program for Libreville (PAIEPAL).
  • €75.4 million is the amount of the loan from the African Development Bank.
  • €42 million is the amount of the loan from the Africa Growing Together Fund (AGTF).
  • 150 kilometers of pipelines have been renewed.
  • 150 kilometers of distribution networks have been upgraded and extended.
  • 60 public standpipes have been installed across Libreville and surrounding areas.
  • $1 billion was the total amount of financing approved by the African Development Bank Group for Gabon between 1974 and 2014.
  • €1.5 billion is the additional amount committed to Gabon by the African Development Bank Group since 2015.

Sources:

  • African Development Bank Group (AfDB)
  • Government of Gabon
  • African Development Fund (ADF)
  • Nigeria Trust Fund (NTF)
  • Contify.com