Background

In Gabon, the 828 km long Transgabonaise road connects Libreville (the capital and coastal city) and Franceville (3rd Gabonese city after Port-Gentil). It comprises several segments of the Routes Nationales (RN) 1 to 4. Despite its strategic importance, the road has suffered from substantial deterioration due to a lack of maintenance and increased traffic over the last decade, caused by the increase of population and lumbering.

In this context, SAG, the project company entered a 30-year partnership/concession contract for the project under a DBOM scheme on October 24, 2019.

The project consists in the rehabilitation and upgrade of the Transgabonaise. In March 2022, Meridiam and the Grantor agreed to focus the Project on the first 81km of the road, from Libreville to Nsilé (KP24 to KP105) followed by the section between KP12 and KP24.

• Emergency Repair Works (carried out in 2020)
• Permanent Anticipated Works (refurbishment of the road between KP 24 and KP 105, including widening on some sections). These works shall be completed by the end of 2024.
• A “Construction and Operations period”: construction, repairs of civil infrastructure (bridges, toll plazas, operations centres,  and related ancillaries (fibre optic, etc)), operation of the tolls, collection of revenues and maintenance of the road.

Stage

Commercial Close

ESG/SDG Key Facts

In December 2019, sponsors mandated a consortium comprising Artelia and Biotope (E&S advisors) to conduct the Environmental and Social Impact Assessment (ESIA), in line with IFC Performance Standards. Initial satisfactory results (EIS/ESIA) on segments located between KP24 and KP105 (Kango) enabled the start of 81 km Permanent Anticipated Works in Q1 2021.

SDG Achievements and Roadmap

SDG 11 (Sustainable cities and communities)

A Resettlement Action Plan (RAP) is ongoing, focusing on some sections and is being implemented in compliance with IFC performance standards.
The road design has been optimized to reduce impact, including relocating the KP105 Toll Plaza to protect wildlife and minimize social disruptions. Compensation and housing support have been provided to 1,250 affected individuals, with 10 families resettled in newly built homes. Additionally, 200 people have been trained in budgeting and entrepreneurship, with 150 project proposals under review with a microfinance partner. As part of this plan, Project company employees attended a training on the restoration of economic activities.
The resettlement action plan (RAP) for works to be performed within EPC Contract #2 has been completed and submitted to the authorities. Its implementation should start before signing of EPC Contract #2 now that the 3rd amendment is signed.

SDG 12 (Responsible consumption and production)

Certified companies in Gabon handle waste management through recycling in line with a waste management plan that is coordinated with the EPC and its subcontractors.

SDG 15 (Life on land)

The Project contemplates to finance studies with local NGOs to better mitigate impacts on chimpanzee and elephants. The Project already obtained an environmental compliance certificate provided by the national environmental authority in Gabon (DGEPN).