Gabon has initiated a substantial overhaul of its public utility sector, moving to separate the management of water and electricity services. On June 25, 2026, the Council of Ministers formally endorsed two legislative proposals leading to the establishment of two new mixed-economy companies: ”Gabonaise des Eaux” and ”Électricité du Gabon”. These entities will now respectively oversee the provision of potable water and electricity across the nation.

This decision marks the dissolution of the integrated operational model previously held by the Société d’énergie et d’eau du Gabon (SEEG), pivoting towards a specialized approach. Under this new structure, each operator will be granted a distinct scope of activity, accompanied by clearly defined responsibilities. This organizational shift is anticipated to streamline investment processes and significantly elevate the standard of service delivery. Gabon’s move is not unique, as several other African nations have adopted similar strategies. Senegal, for instance, has entrusted water management to Sen’Eau and electricity supply to Senelec. In Côte d’Ivoire, SODECI handles water services while CIE manages electricity. Morocco’s ONEE also differentiates these two activities into autonomous branches to optimize financial management and investment allocation.

Across various regions where this specialization has been implemented, it has consistently led to enhanced clarity in accountability, stronger governance frameworks for operators, and a more conducive environment for the sustained improvement of services offered to consumers. For Gabon’s SEEG, a similar positive transformation is expected, with considerable hope that the future management of these two independent entities will surpass the performance of the integrated model.