Construction & Real Estate
From The Report: Gabon 2012
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The construction industry has been a major driver of growth in recent years as Gabon has made moves to upgrade its infrastructure. These include major road projects, two new hydroelectric dams, port extensions and the construction of a new international terminal at Port-Gentil International Airport. Housing projects have also been important given the estimated deficit of 200,000 homes nationwide. In spite of this high demand – and, indeed, a need for affordable housing – the real estate market has been largely backed by luxury housing projects. The government has in recent years sought to eliminate bureaucratic obstacles in the real estate sector and created several new institutions to aid in the sector’s development.

This chapter contains an interview with Yannick Mokanda, Director-General, National Agency for Urban Planning, Topographical Works and Land Registry (ANUTTC).

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Building up the economy: Large-scale infrastructure investment offers opportunities for growth
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The construction industry has driven much of the country’s economic expansion since 2010. This trend is set to continue from 2012-13 as Gabon makes a push to improve its national infrastructure. Activity is increasing for foreign companies, which have a critical technical and strategic role to play in ongoing and current construction projects, although there are obstacles to overcome to unleash the sector’s potential. Fortunately, the government has begun implementing an ambitious set of…

Analysis

Strategic vision: The master plan aims to boost sector efficiency
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The National Infrastructure Master Plan outlines a strategy to develop the infrastructure necessary for Gabon to establish itself as an emerging global economy by 2025. Gabon’s master plan was drawn up by US-based engineering, construction and management firm Bechtel, which brought its experience in national infrastructure planning to bear on structural weaknesses in the economy. Projects under the master plan will be concentrated on a number of high-priority sectors, including transport, energy…

Interview

OBG talks to Yannick Mokanda, Director-General, National Agency for Urban Planning, Topographical Works and Land Registry (ANUTTC)
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Interview: Yannick Mokanda What is the ANUTTC’s mission following reforms? YANNICK MOKANDA: The ANUTTC has two main objectives: the provision of land ready for construction and the delivery of land titles. As the government was having trouble providing enough sites equipped for construction, the ANUTTC was created as a solution to the former dysfunctional situation and to organise urban planning. Our function is that of a developer, but in a sector distinct from private real estate developers. We…

Overview

Bridging the gap: Several new projects will help to reduce the housing deficit
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Demand for housing continues to rise at all levels of Gabon’s real estate sector, but the high-end housing market has primarily driven growth. Gabon also faces important social housing needs and, despite ambitious government building programmes, little progress has been seen in recent years. However, market activity should see a spike in 2012 as several social housing projects get off the ground, aided by a government effort to streamline sector regulation and facilitate access to land titles.…