Gabonese Holding ACK acquires 90% of Colas Gabon, signaling shift in construction sector
via Gabon Review2 min read
Gabonese group Holding ACK S.A. announced on April 19, 2026, the signing of an agreement to acquire 90% of Colas Gabon's capital from Colas International. The Gabonese state will retain its existing 10% stake. This acquisition is expected to structurally reconfigure Gabon's public works and construction sector, which has long been dominated by a few foreign operators. Colas Gabon, established in the country for decades, employs 254 people, mostly Gabonese, and possesses an integrated industrial infrastructure including quarries, aggregate production, asphalt plants, and quality control laboratories. Holding ACK, led by Alain-Claude Kouakoua, has committed to ensuring operational continuity, maintaining all jobs, and preserving client and partner relationships. This acquisition goes beyond a simple asset transfer. For decades, Colas reportedly refused to sell aggregates, bitumen, and asphalt to competing companies, including Gabonese SMEs. The road construction market was effectively controlled by an oligopoly of four or five foreign majors who "discreetly" divided state tenders. Holding ACK intends to change this dynamic by selling its materials to any solvent operator, thereby opening access for small and medium-sized Gabonese construction companies. The stated ambition is also to reduce the cost per kilometer of road, currently influenced by opaque pricing structures inherited from this de facto arrangement. Holding ACK, already active in public works, hydrocarbon transport
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Patrice Revangue Zavrosa, Administrator and Director General of Mika Service, a subsidiary of Holding ACK S.A., has provided insights into the acquisition of Colas Gabon by Holding ACK S.A. The acquisition, announced on April 19, 2026, involves Holding ACK taking over all activities, personnel, and expertise of Colas Gabon. Zavrosa stated that the primary objective of this vertical integration is to secure inputs for Mika Service, which has a high volume of market opportunities and government projects. These inputs, such as gravel, asphalt, and concrete, were previously purchased from third parties. The acquisition also aims to make these resources available to other Gabonese SMEs. While some observers noted Colas Gabon's declining market presence, Zavrosa clarified that Mika Service's strong market position and ability to execute projects quickly made the acquisition strategic for securing its supply chain. He also addressed rumors regarding Colas's mining permits, confirming that while the permits were not the sole reason for the acquisition, they offered a significant advantage by providing ready-to-use infrastructure for aggregate production, avoiding lengthy permit application processes and investments in new crushing plants. Zavrosa credited Alain-Claude Kouakoua, CEO of Holding ACK, for his foresight in seizing this opportunity as Colas sought to refocus on markets outside Gabon. This operation marks a significant step in establishing a Gabonese group at the forefront