Transport in Gabon

Road travel is the dominant means of regional and long-distance movement in Gabon. The network includes national, provincial and departmental roads, urban streets and rural paths, but passability changes by region and season. Libreville and Port-Gentil have no direct road connection, so travelers use air or sea transport between them. Private cars, taxis and rental cars are available, while TaxiGab provides a more formalized taxi fleet. Public transport is being reorganized: SOGATRA and TRANS'urb were announced for merger into the Compagnie Nationale de Transport (CNT) on 24 July 2026. The planned system defines 28 lines and 959 stops, with implementation in stages. TRANS'urb provides urban and intercity bus services, package transport and vehicle rental. Published service areas include Libreville, Moanda and Libreville Nord, with agency information for Lambaréné and Mouila. Fares and timetables depend on the provider and connection; no stable nationwide fare has been verified. GIMAC digital payment has been available for some services since 27 February 2026, but payment options should be checked before travel. The Transgabonais railway connects Owendo and Franceville over 648 kilometres and has 24 stations. SETRAG provides passenger and freight services, and the railway reaches five of Gabon's nine provinces. Departure times and fares can change, so the current information from SETRAG should be checked for the intended date. Technical problems, natural events or force majeure can cause cancellations or delays. Domestic and international air travel uses three international airports in Libreville, Franceville and Port-Gentil. ANAC, the National Civil Aviation Agency, and ASECNA are modernizing instrument procedures at the inland aerodromes of Lambaréné, Mouila, Lebamba, Tchibanga, Mayumba, Oyem, Makokou and Koula-Moutou. Domestic flight schedules and fares depend on the provider and date. Water transport is formal but fragmented and depends on specific providers and ports. The General Directorate of the Merchant Navy (DGMM) handles ship registration, safety controls and maritime police matters, while OPRAG manages the ports of Owendo and Port-Gentil. NGV publishes a Libreville–Port-Gentil service departing at 15:00 and arriving at about 17:45, with the return journey scheduled from 12:00 to 14:45. Published baggage limits differ by vessel: Dolphin allows 20 kilograms plus 5 kilograms, while Maria Galanta allows 23 kilograms plus 12 kilograms; excess baggage is charged at 2,000 or 2,500 XAF per kilogram. Availability and departure details require confirmation before travel. No stable nationwide passenger network on inland rivers has been verified. The Ministry of Transport, Merchant Navy and Logistics sets transport policy, licenses and transport documents. The Directorate General of Land Transport (DGTT) handles driving licences, vehicle registration cards and land-transport titles. A driving school approved by the authorities prepares applicants for the theory and practical tests leading to the CNEPC examination. A1 and A motorcycle licences are available from age 16, B car licences from age 18, and C, D, E and F categories from age 21 with a B licence. A provisional B licence lasts six months and provisional C or D licences last one year. Foreign driving licences are handled through an enrolment form under Arrêté 00140/MT/2016. The Directorate General of Road Safety (DGSR) is responsible for road safety, and Gabon applies the CEMAC road code together with the Gabonese road code under Ordinance 30/69 and Law 003/2006. Drivers must respect speed limits, avoid dangerous overtaking and parking, secure loads and refrain from using a phone or driving under the influence of alcohol. Official sanction reminders cite fines of 500,000 to 1,000,000 XAF for certain violations. Walking and cycling are mainly last-mile and urban modes. Gabon has no verified nationwide cycling network, although Law 035/2018 includes non-motorized mobility. PADIG, supported by the World Bank, includes sidewalks, crossings, footbridges, cycling studies and pilot connections. A three-kilometre project between Lowé and Owendo includes a protected cycling track and sidewalk. Coverage remains fragmented, but active mobility is gaining urban relevance. Law 035/2018 also requires energy efficiency, emissions, environmental and social costs, and non-motorized modes to be considered in transport planning. Gabon's NDC 3.0 supports electric mobility, efficient sustainable public transport and sustainable infrastructure. PADIG includes climate-resilient roads, drainage, green spaces and active mobility in seven secondary cities. These measures are policy and project commitments rather than verified nationwide implementation results. Current bus and taxi fares, minibus service areas, rail schedules and fares, provincial road conditions, and national walking and cycling coverage should be verified with the relevant provider, province or date.