Gabon and AfDB Tackle Project Bottlenecks in Five-Day Clinic

With the cumulative disbursement rate of African Development Bank projects in Gabon stalling at 29.5%, officials in Libreville have completed an intensive five-day capacity-building workshop. The training aimed to bridge persistent gaps in procurement, financial management, and operational oversight for a portfolio currently valued at US$658.62 million.

Editorial·August 1, 2026·reads: 894

Gabon and AfDB Tackle Project Bottlenecks in Five-Day Clinic

The sessions, which ran from July 27 to 31, 2026, gathered 40 participants from the Court of Accounts and the Ministries of Industry, Budget, and Agriculture. Minkailou Halidoule Touré, representing the Bank’s country manager, noted that the curriculum targeted specific weaknesses identified during a June portfolio review, including slow disbursement cycles and substandard documentation. While the share of projects deemed at risk dropped from 67% in January to 38% by mid-year, the average project age of 6.3 years underscores the urgency for better institutional efficiency.

Strengthening Gabon’s Development Framework

Moving forward, the recommendations from this clinic will form the basis of the Bank’s future technical assistance. By addressing systemic issues like audit reporting delays and monitoring gaps, the government seeks to improve its capacity to absorb development funding. This initiative aligns with the 2023–2028 Country Strategy Paper, which identifies improved project execution as a prerequisite for Gabon’s broader economic transformation.