Construction & Real Estate
From The Report: Gabon 2015
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While ongoing infrastructure projects are providing a steady supply of work for construction firms, fiscal constraints have led to a reduction in public investment. Access to land remains a key obstacle for real estate development. To address this, the government has introduced reforms to reduce wait times for land titles from as much as 10 years down to 180 days.

This chapter includes an interview with Paul Mapessi, Managing Director, Société Nationale du Logement Social (SNLS).

Articles from this Chapter

Overview

Making great strides: Investments are forging ahead despite recent challenges
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While the construction sector in Gabon has seen a slowdown compared to the boom in the years prior to co-hosting the 2012 Africa Cup of Nations (Coupe d’Afrique des Nations, CAN), construction remains central to the state’s economic development plans. As part of an overarching goal to diversify the economy through the Emerging Gabon strategy, funding has focused on infrastructure in recent years. Although budget constraints following the decline in oil prices have limited state investment as…

Overview

On the market: Government efforts are focused on working through obstacles to development
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Real estate activity in the country has decreased slightly since 2014, although demand in key segments, such as commercial property and affordable housing, continues to remain strong due to a shortage of current supply. Demand for rental property is also on the rise and represents an area of expected growth in the short term. However, time delays in acquiring land titles continue to be a considerable constraint. Sector Activity Residential prices in Libreville have increased considerably over the…

Analysis

No place like home: A shortage of affordable housing is spurring development in the real estate sector
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According to a report published by the French Ministry of Finance in 2014, more than 75% of the urban population in Gabon currently live without a land title in dwellings with limited access to basic services. With continued urban growth at an average rate of around 30,000 new city residents per year, the gap between housing supply and demand remains substantial. Estimates for the combined housing deficit in Libreville and Port-Gentil, the country’s two largest cities, range from 50,000 to 170,000…

Interview

OBG talks to Paul Mapessi, Managing Director, Société Nationale du Logement Social (SNLS): Interview
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Interview: Paul Mapessi What are the latest projects and developments in the social housing segment in Gabon? PAUL MAPESSI: There are several operators involved in the construction of social housing in Gabon. The national operator, Société Nationale Immobilière, is building 3800 houses across the country, while SNLS is currently constructing about 2000 houses in 2014-15 and developing 650 serviced lots in the city of Bikelé, under our 2014-18 strategic development plan. SNLS should also start…