The Gabonese state has regained full control of the water and electricity sectors through the renationalization of the Gabon Energy and Water Company (SEEG).
The takeover was made through the signing on January 5, 2022, of a new public service concession contract for the production, transport and distribution of drinking water and electric energy.
“The initialed agreement between the government and SEEG grants the latter a 20-year concession for the development of this strategic sector in a context where more than 40% of the Gabonese population does not have access to electricity and electricity. drinking water”.
Otherwise, the new ambition of the Gabonese authorities “consists in improving the supply and quality of water and electricity to users, which implies the increase and modernization of equipment in order to meet the demand. growing demand, consumer protection through the application of ‘social’ tariffs as well as the economic and financial balance of the concessionaire ”.
According to Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, the Minister of Energy and Hydraulic Resources, it is regarding “preserving the production tool and above all preserving the know-how of nationals in a strategic and sensitive area for life. of the nation. This is the meaning that should be given to the reforms undertaken in this sector ”.
The renationalization also provides for “independent production in the water sector, the payment of the user fee instituted by the law of the sector in application of these provisions, the revision of the perimeter of concessions including urban and peri-urban areas. , and the possibility being to expand its activities ”.
SEEG had been privatized and owned in turn by Suez and Veolia. The latter left Gabon in February 2019 following an amicable agreement with the State to which it had transferred its 51% held in the SEEG.
Since then the company in charge of the drinking water supply was desperately looking for a strategic partner until it was taken over by the Gabonese state.