On 25 June 2025, Gabon’s Minister of State for Transport, Merchant Shipping and Logistics, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, conducted his first official visit to two key national infrastructure entities: the Société d’Exploitation du Transgabonais (SETRAG) and the Office des Ports et Rades du Gabon (OPRAG).
The visit commenced at SETRAG, where the Minister was welcomed by railway personnel and received a detailed overview of the company’s operations. A site visit to kilometre point 8 (PK8) brought attention to the unauthorised occupation of areas along the railway line, which presents safety risks for nearby residents.
The tour included strategic operational locations, such as the maintenance workshops, railway traffic control centre, and the training centre, which features driving simulators and an applied psychology unit for monitoring train crews. A demonstration of the simulator allowed the Minister to experience aspects of train operations, offering practical insight into the workings of the national rail system and challenges linked to the Modernisation and Safety Project (PMS).
In the afternoon, the Minister visited OPRAG, where presentations outlined the organisation’s mandate and strategic direction, with a particular focus on the Gabon Smart Ports 2030 (GSP2030) programme. Discussions centred on ambitions for port sector transformation, key development projects, and ongoing challenges.
During the visit, reference was made to two of the three flagship infrastructure projects announced in the President’s address of 31 December 2024, which fall under the transport ministry’s responsibility, notably, the deep-water port project at Mayumba.
The visit concluded with inspections of major port sites, including the GPM, OCT, NOIP and timber port quays, aimed at evaluating operational conditions and identifying areas for improvement. This engagement forms part of the broader national vision to position Gabon as a modern and efficient port hub, contributing to national and regional development.
