In 2005, Setrag (Société d'exploitation du Transgabonais) was mandated by the Gabonese authorities to manage the operations of the country's only railway network and its 648 km of railway line between Franceville and Libreville. A total of 24 commercially operated stations are served daily by passenger and goods trains.
Contributing to the country's economic growth
The railway is a key growth driver and a strategic lever in Gabon's growth. As such, Setrag helps to open up rural populations, transport nearly 52% of exports and facilitate the circulation of goods in five of the country's nine provinces. The company conducts its official state missions with nearly 1,200 direct employees – 40% of whom travel on the Ntoum to Franceville route –, thereby helping to create a value chain around stations and employee housing estates. Setrag also provides over 1,000 indirect jobs along the 648 km of railway lines.
Paving the way for the future
Since it began operating in 1986, the railway network had not undergone any major works. In order to achieve its performance, safety and social responsibility ambitions, a railway upgrade program was launched for the 2016-2024 period. The aim is to restore and modernize the line. Since the beginning of the program, the transport capacity has increased by 96%, allowing for very good logistical progress: the ore transported has reached a record level. The 330,000 passengers are eventually expected to enjoy considerably reduced journey times and improved comfort. The company is also endeavoring to implement Eramet's digital transformation strategy and the fundamentals of its CSR roadmap. This has led to the automation of traffic management systems, the opening of a simulation center for train driver training, the refurbishment of the Owendo health center and the construction of social infrastructures (sports, catering, etc.).
Key figures
- 648 km of railway lines
- 24 stations
- 330,000 passengers transported per year
- More 6.5 Mt transported and shipped in 2021
