Gabon restructures SEEG, creating two new public-private companies for water and electricity services
via Gabon Review3 min read
Gabon's Council of Ministers adopted two bills on June 25, 2026, to dissolve the current form of SEEG, the sole operator for water and electricity. This reform will lead to the creation of "La Gabonaise des Eaux" and "Électricité du Gabon," two mixed-economy companies with distinct responsibilities. "La Gabonaise des Eaux" will manage all aspects of potable water services, including production, transport, storage, distribution, and commercialization. "Électricité du Gabon" will focus on energy, aiming to strengthen infrastructure, promote energy transition, and ensure supply security nationwide. This restructuring, presented as a modernization effort, is a legal response to ongoing crises and operational failures at SEEG, which have included persistent direct connections, payment defaults to Karpowership leading to the shutdown of a floating power plant, and deferred maintenance. The government aims to guarantee continuity and improve public services, acknowledging that the previous system was no longer effective. The choice of a mixed-economy model allows for private capital participation while maintaining state control over these strategic services. Simultaneously, the regulatory authority for the potable water and energy sector, ARSEE, is being strengthened with new personnel, indicating a comprehensive overhaul of governance for a sector that significantly impacts the daily lives of Gabonese citizens.
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