2023-06-01 20:06:38
DIG/ Present in Africa since 2015, and having already invested more than 5 billion euros there (3280 billion francs) with its partners, Meridiam comes fromannouncementr its desire to double its investments there within 3 years.
A very ambitious objective, which confirms the company’s desire to strengthen its contribution to the development of the entire continent.
In Gabon, no less than 4 infrastructure projects have been launched in the country since 2016, for a total investment of around 1.5 billion euros, or nearly 1,000 billion CFA francs. (984 billion francs).
These include in particular the construction of the Kinguele Aval hydroelectric dam and the Owendo ore port ; the rehabilitation of a 93 km section of the Transgabonaise road and the renovation of the country’s main railway line, the Transgabonais.
Infrastructures that have already enabled the creation of more than 2,000 direct jobs
The construction of the Kinguele Aval hydroelectric dam, located 100 km east of Libreville on the Mbéi River, on the edge of the Monts de Cristal National Park, is already mobilizing 250 full-time people today.
By the end of June, 350 new recruitments are also planned to continue work on this dam, which will supply around 13% of the capital’s electricity needs and will contribute to the replacement of high carbon footprint production plants with hydroelectricity. . And in total, this project will generate more than 700 direct local jobs. Another example is the construction of the ore port of Owendo, Gabon’s largest commercial port, 15 km south of Libreville, which has created more than 380 direct permanent full-time jobs and supported a large number of indirect jobs.
The port, the centerpiece of the country’s new logistics ecosystem, participates in the transformation, growth and diversification of the Gabonese economy.
Thanks to a large-scale investment plan of nearly 300 million euros initiated since 2016, the port’s activity has increased sharply to reach 6.5 million tonnes in 2022. The ambition is within three years to process 10 million tonnes per year there, i.e. 6 times more than in 2017 and to continue to support the country’s mining ambitions.
More recently, since 2019, Meridiam has been involved in the rehabilitation of the first section (93 km) of La Transgabonaise. Over 70% complete, this major project has created more than 1,200 direct jobs. This road, of better quality and safer, facilitates and streamlines the mobility of people and goods over the long term thanks to integrated upkeep and maintenance.
Infrastructure that respects the environment and serves inclusion
Meridiam provides answers to the world’s most pressing challenges by building resilient, modern infrastructures that foster economic development.
For each of them, the social impact, the fight against global warming and respect for the environment is essential.
The La Transgabonaise and Port of Owendo projects, for example, actively promote gender equality. The first already includes more than 35% of female employees, while for the second the proportion of women among the employees has been multiplied by 3 to reach 20% in 2 years. Proportions that will increase further in the years to come thanks to the implementation of new and complementary initiatives and actions on the subject of diversity.
The Kinguele Aval dam will save more than 73,000 tons of CO2 emissions per year. It is perfectly in line with Gabon’s commitments against global warming and will enable the country to begin its energy transition. But beyond contributing to the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, concrete initiatives have been put in place to offset the impacts associated with the construction of this dam.
Preservation of Biodiversity
Thus, a biodiversity sanctuary, with ecological characteristics similar to the project area, of nearly 2000 hectares (8 times larger than the area concerned by the dam) was created near the Monts de Cristal National Park. Not only will this sanctuary participate in improving the conservation of forests and their biodiversity, but should even allow a Net Gain in biodiversity evaluated between +10% and +25%.
Noteworthy plant species were also taken before work began and placed in nurseries.
As soon as construction activities are completed, Meridiam and its partners will reintroduce them to their natural habitat. All these projects actively contribute to sustainable development, which has been in the DNA and at the heart of Meridiam’s strategy since its creation, and to the UN’s objectives in this area.
They illustrate the vision of Thierry Déau, its founding President: “I am convinced that projects of public interest must be systematically designed with all stakeholders and the community with respect for the environment. Not just for an obvious question of acceptability and responsibility, but to better contribute to the economic growth of the territories and sustainably improve the quality of life of local populations. Since 2016, we have been investing in Gabon in essential and virtuous projects, with a lot of ambition but also the desire to support the country and its inhabitants for many, many years”.
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