Trans-Gabon railway modernisation programme has secured EUR 203 million funding, of which a EUR 173 million sovereign loan from the French Development Agency (AFD) and a EUR 30 million grant from the European Union.
The agreement was signed on November 24, 2025, in the presence of the President of the Gabon, Brice Oligui, and the President of the France, Emmanuel Macron, that paid an official visit to Gabon.
The 648 km Trans-Gabon railway is country’s only railway line connecting Libreville to Franceville and is a vital infrastructure for national connectivity and economic growth. Each year, it transports more than 300,000 passengers and millions of tonnes of freight, linking the port of Owendo to the mining and forestry basins in the interior of the country.
Following completion, the corridor will directly contribute to increasing transport capacity to reach up to 16 train paths per day, or eight trains in each direction, improving the reliability and safety of passenger transport by modernising stations and developing passenger services. The programme will also secure railway infrastructure, particularly through the upgrading of critical structures and the remediation of unstable areas and will support the implementation of the project and strengthening the capacities of the State and SETRAG (the Gabonese National Railway Company).
Beyond its direct benefits, the project aligns with Gabon’s national economic diversification strategy by supporting the mining, timber, and agribusiness sectors and facilitating access to isolated areas.
The Trans-Gabon railway modernisation and security programme (PMS) marks a new stage in the modernisation of this strategic line, building on the Upgrading Programme (PRN) started in 2016 with the support of the French Development Agency (AFD). Its objective is to ensure the long-term reliability and security of the railway network, increase its capacity and performance, while improving the quality of passenger transport and strengthening the institutional capacities of the railway sector.
The project is fully aligned with the Global Gateway initiative, the European strategy for investing in sustainable and high-quality infrastructure.
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