Gabon - Access to Basic Services and Performance Improvement Project

Overview & Synopsis

Access to Basic Services and Performance Improvement Project for Gabon has the development objectives to increase access to water supply, sanitation, and electricity services and improve performance in the water supply and electricity sectors. Component 1: Water Supply and Sanitation Services will deliver climate‑resilient investments to improve service quality, expand access, and introduce safe fecal sludge management. Sub-components include: Sub-component 1.1: Performance improvement in Greater Libreville through procurement and installation of about 20,000 smart water meters, small-diameter pipes, and connection kits to reduce commercial losses and recover water in synergy with a performance-based Public-Private Partnership. Sub-component 1.2: Access to networked water supply services via rehabilitation and reinforcement of production, storage, transmission, and distribution infrastructure; extension and upgrades to distribution networks with metered household connections; leak repairs; and completion of unfinished works in selected towns to expand low‑carbon access. Sub-component 1.3: Access to water supply through rural mini-grid systems by developing solar‑pumped schemes with reservoirs, distribution networks, and metered connections, with local management arrangements for public standposts. Sub-component 1.4: Safely managed sanitation services in Greater Libreville through construction of a fecal sludge treatment plant using a Design, Build, Operate and Transfer approach, incorporating circular economy and resource recovery options such as biogas-to-energy and treated by‑products for fertilizer or clean cooking fuels. Component 2: Electricity Services will strengthen technical and commercial performance and expand access through grid and distributed solutions. Sub-components include: Sub-component 2.1: Performance improvement in Greater Libreville through rehabilitation and modernization of the dispatching system, including Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition and an Energy Management System for real‑time operations, and a pilot Revenue Protection Program with at least 3,000 smart meters for large customers. Sub-component 2.2: Electrification through grid extension, densification, and distributed energy solutions by extending Medium‑Voltage and Low‑Voltage lines, rehabilitating and installing substations, upgrading overloaded transformers, completing pending works from a prior operation, and piloting solar home systems in remote areas. Sub-component 2.3: Hybridization of diesel power plants with solar photovoltaic mini-grids to reduce fuel use and operating costs while enhancing resilience and reliability in selected villages. Component 3: Policy, Institutional, and Regulatory Strengthening for Improved Basic Services will reinforce sector governance, planning, and capacity. Sub-components include: Sub-component 3.1: Development and implementation of a citywide inclusive sanitation roadmap for the fecal sludge value chain in Greater Libreville, including regulatory frameworks, management models, and cost recovery. Sub-component 3.2: Targeted capacity building, equipment, and systems for the Ministry of Universal Access to Water and Energy, the national utility, the asset holding company, the regulator, and the National Water and Electricity Council, including equipping a new water quality laboratory and establishing modern information management systems. Sub-component 3.3: Development of a mobile payment system to improve billing and collections, coordinated with national digital initiatives. Sub-component 3.4: Rehabilitation and modernization of the Jean Violas Training Center with updated curricula, equipment, certifications, and programs that promote women’s and youth participation. Sub-component 3.5: Updating the national electricity master plan using least‑cost planning, including options for interconnecting isolated grids and improving climate resilience. Component 4: Project Management and Resettlement Compensation will provide implementation support and cover resettlement-related costs as per approved instruments. Sub-components include: Sub-component 4.1: Project management support for technical coordination, fiduciary management, environmental and social risk management, monitoring and evaluation, and communications through a dedicated Project Management Unit and Steering Committee. Sub-component 4.2: Resettlement compensation for land, structures, crops, income restoration, transitional assistance, targeted support for vulnerable households, and related implementation and grievance management costs. Component 5: Contingent Emergency Response Component will enable rapid reallocation of project funds to respond to eligible emergencies in accordance with an approved emergency action plan and environmental and social requirements.