Addressing members of parliament and the senate during his annual State of the Nation address, Gabon’s President emphatically declared, «The SEEG must undergo reform if we are to resolve this issue sustainably». This statement serves as a stark acknowledgment of the current model’s shortcomings, particularly as persistent water and electricity outages have plagued Gabon for years.

The presidential initiative is built upon two fundamental principles: first, the distinct separation of water management from electricity management, and second, the unbundling of production, distribution, and commercialization activities. According to the Head of State, this organizational restructuring promises a more efficient and accountable approach to utility services.

«Currently, a water leak can take up to three months to repair. If the sector’s revenue directly depended on the quality of water service, interventions would be significantly swifter», the President elaborated, dismissing arguments that the water sector could not thrive without financial support from electricity revenues.

These operational failures are primarily attributed to «poor governance» within the state-owned company. «This moment of truth compels me to be frank with you. Beyond the underlying problems, the continuous load shedding stems from SEEG’s failure to compensate its operators», the President further explained.

However, responsibility is also shared with consumers. The Head of State condemned «user misconduct», citing detrimental practices such as non-payment of bills, buried meters, fraud, cable theft, transformer sabotage, and illegal direct connections.

A technical assessment reveals an alarming situation. Steve Saurel Legnongo, SEEG’s interim administrator, noted in early 2025 that «no structural investment has been made in the last twenty years», even as energy consumption demands nearly doubled between 2010 and 2024.

The ramifications for the populace are severe. The capital city frequently experiences rotating power outages, while some areas endure water cuts lasting several months.

Interviews with SEEG subscribers reveal a spectrum of opinions. Mariam Yama, a subscriber, welcomed the proposed separation: «If water and electricity are separated, it means there will be two entities focused on service efficiency. I believe this will work».

Nicole Esso expressed more caution: «This isn’t a new issue. Water and power cuts are rampant in Gabon because equipment renewal has not kept pace. I think we are being impatient and pessimistic for no reason. The Head of State is working, we must let him proceed».

Patrick Ruffin, a retired military officer, highlighted financial mismanagement: «The management of SEEG needs a complete overhaul».

Cédric Pango, a corporate executive, raised a significant concern: «Within SEEG, it’s well known that electricity operations are more profitable than water. The water sector has been neglected without investment. In that sense, I understand the Head of State’s approach. However, if we separate the two activities and the water sector remains unprofitable, we risk facing even greater difficulties than before».

In recent years, authorities have already taken steps to «alleviate the distress of the Gabonese people regarding this energy challenge».

In February 2025, the State signed an agreement with the Turkish company Karpowership to supply 150 megawatts through two floating power plants designated to serve Greater Libreville. In the same month, Gabon and Equatorial Guinea successfully interconnected their electrical grids.

For Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, who assumed power following an August 2023 coup d’état before being elected with 94.85% of votes in April 2025, the restoration of the electrical network is a crucial test of credibility.

The announced reform must now transition into concrete actions, as residents across Libreville and the rest of the country eagerly await tangible improvements.

Between technical hurdles, financial complexities, and the battle against fraud, the undertaking is monumental. Yet, for the population, the question remains straightforward: will the coming weeks finally mark an end to the recurring outages, or will this be merely another chapter in a chronic public service crisis?