Port-Gentil

Port-Gentil is Gabon’s principal oil and industrial port and the country’s second major urban centre. Its economy and urban structure are closely tied to the waterfront, industrial zones and road connections across the Mandji peninsula, while rapid growth has left uneven access to paved streets, drainage and other neighbourhood infrastructure.

Earlier World Bank urban programmes included Port-Gentil among the cities targeted for local infrastructure and municipal capacity. More recent national investment again places it within a group of priority cities: the African Development Bank’s infrastructure programme includes transport plans and future urban-road improvements for Port-Gentil, Libreville, Franceville and Oyem. For Port-Gentil, better internal connectivity is essential because the city’s national economic importance depends on a local street and service network capable of supporting residential districts as well as port and industrial activity.