The Government of Gabon and the African Development Bank Group (AfDB) have launched an institutional capacity-building initiative aimed at improving the implementation and impact of development projects across the country. The training workshop and fiduciary clinic were held in Libreville from July 27 to 31, 2026, bringing together public sector stakeholders and project management teams.
The initiative was organized by the African Development Bank’s Gabon Country Office, along with its Capacity Development, Fiduciary Services, Financial Control, Quality Assurance, Results and Monitoring departments, and the Regional Office for Central Africa, in collaboration with the Gabonese government.
Around 40 participants took part in the training, including representatives from project implementation units managing AfDB-financed operations, members of Gabon’s Court of Accounts, and senior officials from the Ministries of Industry and Local Transformation, Budget, and Agriculture.
The program focused on strengthening technical, operational, and financial management skills to improve the delivery of Bank-supported projects. Key areas covered included procurement, financial management, disbursement procedures, monitoring and evaluation, and project cycle management.
Improving project performance is a major priority for Gabon as the country works toward structural economic transformation under the African Development Bank’s 2023–2028 Country Strategy Paper. A stronger project management framework is expected to help accelerate implementation, improve resource utilization, and increase benefits for local communities.
As of June 30, 2026, the African Development Bank’s portfolio in Gabon consisted of nine projects and fourteen financing instruments, with total commitments of USD 658.62 million. Sovereign projects represented 86% of the portfolio value, while non-sovereign operations accounted for the remaining 14%.
The training follows a portfolio performance review that identified several challenges affecting project implementation, including procurement delays, disbursement bottlenecks, weak operational planning, delays in audit reporting, and gaps in monitoring and evaluation.
According to the review, Gabon’s portfolio recorded a cumulative disbursement rate of 29.5%, with projects having an average age of 6.3 years. However, the proportion of projects considered at risk improved, declining from 67% in January 2026 to 38% in June 2026.
African Development Bank officials emphasized that strengthening knowledge of the institution’s procedures and improving coordination among stakeholders are essential to ensuring that available resources are used efficiently. The Bank reaffirmed its commitment to supporting Gabonese institutions in overcoming implementation challenges and delivering stronger development outcomes.
The recommendations from the workshop will guide future technical assistance and support the implementation of Gabon’s Portfolio Performance Improvement Plan, helping accelerate project execution, improve financial management, and maximize the long-term impact of development investments across the country.
