On 11 June 2025, the World Bank Board of Executive Directors approved 150 million dollars of financing from the International Bank for Reconstruction and Development (IBRD) for the Gabon Urban Development Project, known locally as Projet d'aménagement et de développement des infrastructures du Gabon (PADIG, reference P177372).
The project aims to improve access to climate-resilient urban infrastructure and public facilities and to reduce flood risk in selected cities. A first component finances roads, schools and green spaces, with technical support to national and municipal authorities, in Oyem, Lambaréné, Koulamoutou, Franceville, Mouila, Lébamba and Ndendé. A second component covers drainage and flood risk reduction works.
The World Bank notes that Gabon's urbanisation rate exceeds 90% and that secondary cities lag behind in access to infrastructure. The project is aligned with the National Development Plan 2024-2026 and receives technical support from the Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery (GFDRR) and the Global Center on Adaptation (GCA).
