Transport
From The Report: Gabon 2013
View in Online Reader

Under the Emerging Gabon initiative, the government is planning infrastructure investments in road, maritime and air transport. Among the priorities are improving connectivity between Libreville and the oil centre of Port-Gentil, as well as providing additional capacity on rail networks for mineral and passenger loads from the lesser developed interior of the country – both of which are needed, given the current state of linkages. The sector received a boost in terms of infrastructure in the lead-up to the Africa Cup of Nations in 2012, which sparked a flurry of road and aviation improvements prior to the competition. Despite some delays, transport projects are progressing, in many cases with the support of international lenders and donors, as well as the expertise of foreign contractors.

This chapter contains an interview with Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Freight, Deutsche Post DHL.

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Infrastructure for growth: Increased investment can help to diversify transport options and support growth
OBG
plus

Ensuring easy access to outlying and rural areas, particularly given Gabon’s economic dependence on commodity production in those very same areas, is crucial. As a result, the government has made it a priority to develop a transport corridor connecting Gabon’s major cities and its mineral and agricultural zones so as to facilitate the flow of goods and people across the country. Under the Emerging Gabon initiative, which includes the July 2012 Strategic Plan for Emerging Gabon (Plan Stratégique…

Analysis

Paving the way: Road construction projects continue to provide opportunities for foreign investment
OBG
plus

The development of road transport infrastructure is one area that can greatly contribute to economic growth in Gabon, mostly by providing access to the interior of the country, where many resources are still unexploited due to poor transport links. The government is aware of this potential and has prioritised the development of a road network to diversify the economy and foster regional trade. International lending has so far played a key role in the financing of projects, the construction of…

Analysis

Maritime links: Improved port infrastructure and services to facilitate trade
OBG
plus

The dilapidated state of some of the country’s infrastructure, not to mention limited access to it, has in recent years made it difficult for maritime transport operators in Gabon to keep up with the growing pace of demand driven by extractive industries, construction and forestry (see Mining chapter). To make sure maritime transport continues to play a key role in Gabon’s economic development, and maintains its 90% share of the country’s trade, the government has adopted various measures…

Interview

OBG talks to Amadou Diallo, CEO of DHL Freight, Deutsche Post DHL
OBG
plus

Interview:Amadou Diallo What are the challenges faced by local logistics players like postal services? AMADOU DIALLO: Many countries like Germany and Singapore have privatised their postal organisations. Governments are not businesses, and therefore services to customers – like postal services – need to be privatised. Only then can rapid capital growth be expected. In Africa many postal services work on a non-profit basis, resulting in poor investments in their infrastructure, but that…

Analysis

New horizons: Understanding what the new Road Fund means for road development
OBG
plus

The development and maintenance of the road network is of major importance to Gabon in terms of the transport of people and goods, and connecting the mining and agriculture industries in the interior to export points on the coast. Up until 2012, road maintenance had fallen under the purview of the Second Generation Road Maintenance Fund (Fonds d’Entretien Routier de Deuxième Génération, FER 2). However, in August 2012 law No. 0004/2012 created a new institution, the Road Fund (Fonds Routier,…