On the occasion of the official visit of the President of the French Republic, Emmanuel Macron, to Libreville, and in the presence of the President of the Gabonese Republic, Brice Oligui Nguema, the signing of the agreement for the Trans-Gabon Railway Modernisation and Security Program (PMS) was formalised this Monday, November 24, 2025.
The Trans-Gabon Railway, the country’s only railway line connecting Libreville to Franceville over nearly 648 kilometres, is a vital infrastructure for national connectivity and economic growth. Each year, it transports over 300,000 passengers and millions of tons of freight, linking the port of Owendo to the mining and forestry basins in the interior of the country.
The Trans-Gabon Railway Modernisation and Security Program (PMS) marks a new stage in the modernisation of this strategic route, building on the Upgrading Program (PRN) initiated 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 program will contribute directly to:
- Increase the transport capacity of the Transgabonais to reach up to 16 train paths per day, i.e. eight trains in each direction;
- Securing railway infrastructure, in particular by upgrading critical structures and addressing unstable areas;
- Improve the reliability and safety of passenger transport by modernising stations and developing passenger services;
- To support the implementation of the project and to strengthen the capacities of the State and SETRAG.
Beyond the direct benefits, the project is part of Gabon’s national economic diversification strategy, supporting the mining, timber and agro-industrial sectors, and facilitating the opening up of isolated territories.
An exemplary partnership between Gabon, France and the European Union
The PMS illustrates the long-term partnership between Gabon, France, and the European Union in service of sustainable and inclusive development. It is fully aligned with the Global Gateway initiative, the European strategy for investing in sustainable and high-quality infrastructure.
Funded to the tune of 203 million euros, the program benefits from a sovereign loan of 173 million euros granted by the AFD and a donation of 30 million euros from the European Union.
