• Gabon seeks financing in the United States to add 200 MW of electricity capacityto support industrial and digital projects.
• Libreville faces an estimated 220 MW power deficit, which constrains the expansion of energy-intensive digital infrastructure.
• The initiative supports a strategic partnership with U.S. tech firm Cybastionto build a next-generation AI data center in the capital.

Gabon concluded an economic mission in Washington on Wednesday, March 11, aimed at securing the energy foundation for its future digital ecosystem.

Philippe Tonangoye, Minister of Universal Access to Water and Energy, and Clotaire Kondja, Minister of Petroleum and Gas, led the delegation. The officials met U.S. investors and institutions to explore financing solutions that would increase the country’s electricity generation capacity. U.S. technology company Cybastion coordinated the mission. The discussions focused on mobilizing an additional 200 megawatts (MW)of electricity generation to support ongoing industrial and digital projects.

During a roundtable organized by the U.S. Chamber of Commerce, Gabonese officials presented investment opportunities in the country’s energy infrastructure to American companies. They estimate that the Libreville region faces an electricity deficit of about 220 MW. This shortage limits the expansion of energy-intensive digital infrastructure. The government therefore views the development of new electricity sources as a prerequisite for the country’s planned national data center dedicated to artificial intelligence.

The facility will host and process public and private data locally. Authorities expect the infrastructure to reduce reliance on foreign data systems and strengthen Gabon’s digital sovereignty. The project forms part of a strategic partnership that the Gabonese government signed with Cybastion in January to develop national digital infrastructure.

The agreement includes the construction of a next-generation data center in Libreville. The facility will host and process public and private data locally, enabling the country to manage critical data flows domestically.

The partnership also includes a skills development component. Through the Africa DigiEmpowerprogram, implemented with the Cisco Networking Academy, the initiative plans to train around 1,000 young Gabonese in digital technologies and cybersecurity.

Officials expect the program to support the development of a local workforce capable of sustaining the country’s expanding digital ecosystem.

This article was initially published by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum