2005 - 2006 - Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2012

GABON PART 2: COUNTRY ANALYSIS
Gabon
Economics (2003)
GDP per capita US$3,340
GDP per capita (PPP) US$5,500
Agriculture 8%
Industry 62%
Services 30%
Water provision
40% of the population of Libreville has access to piped water but there are no sewerage or sewage
treatment facilities serving the city. Nationally, 90% of the urban population is regarded as having
access to safe water. Connections to piped water in Linbreville have increased from 49% to 62%
after the privatisation of SEEG.
Population
Total 2003, million 1.3
Total 2015, million 1.7
In urban areas 2003 84%
In urban areas 2015 89%
In urban agglomerations 2015 0%
Sewerage services
Sewerage services are being developed under a delegated management contract with SOCAGI, a
group comprising Suez (43%), Hydro Quebec (34%) and EDF (23%). SOCAGI was virtually bankrupt
in 1994, having made a loss of CFAF14 billion in that year. The company is understood to be at least
breaking even, although the scope for cost-cutting is difficult, due to some hostility towards further
privatisation by the workforce.
Urban Services
Safe drinking water 90%
Per capita consumption (L/day) 66
Sewerage 55%
% Sewage treated 0%
Privatising SEEG
The Société des Eaux et de l'Electricité du Gabon (SEEG) has been earmarked for privatisation since
1993. The government was, however, reluctant to proceed, even though it has recognised that the
private operator would contribute a significant amount of capital to the company, in return for a
concession. In March 1997, VE gained a 20 year concession to operate SEEG’s services. SEEG
generated revenues of F500 million from its electricity services and F200 million from water provision
in 1996. VE initially acquired 100% of SEEG’s equity, 49% of which was in turn sold in a public
tender with the equity being listed on the Libreville stock exchange. The concession serves Gabon’s
three principal cities: Libreville, Port-Gentil and Franceville.
Freshwater
Total (1998, km 3 ) 164.0
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 140,171
Withdrawals (1987, km 3 ) 0.1
For domestic use (1987) 72%
For industry (1987) 22%
For agriculture (1987) 6%
Groundwater
Total recharge (1998, km 3 ) 62.0
Per capita (1998, m 3 ) 52,991
Withdrawals (1989, km 3 ) 0.0
For domestic use (1989) 100%
94 Pinsent Masons Water Yearbook 2005 – 2006