New Phase in Gabon’s Landmark Railway Modernization Project Reaches Financial Close

Français: Orrick conseille Eramet, Comilog, Setrag et Meridiam dans le cadre de la Phase 3 du financement du Transgabonais

Phase 3 of the program to modernize the Trans-Gabon Railway, the Central African country's only railway, has reached financial close. The €312 million financing includes up to €192 million in new financing from IFC and up to €120 million from Proparco. It is one of the largest railway infrastructure financings ever carried out in Central Africa.

Orrick advised project sponsors Eramet, Comilog, Setrag and Meridiam.

THE CLIENTS

Eramet is a French multinational mining and metallurgy company focused on the metals that are essential to a more sustainable world, including manganese, nickel, mineral sands, lithium and cobalt. Comilog is a subsidiary of Eramet specializing in the mining and processing of manganese.

Sertrag, a subsidiary of Comilog, is the Trans-Gabon Railway's concessionaire.

Meridiam is a global investor and asset manager specialized in developing, financing and managing long-term public infrastructure projects.

THE IMPACT

This new phase is part of an ambitious investment program to modernize the Gabonese railway network, increasing capacity and supporting Gabon's economic and industrial development.

Over 600 kilometers long, the Trans-Gabon Railway is the backbone of the country's rail transport, connecting Franceville to the Port of Owendo.

The Trans-Gabon ensures the transport of minerals, goods and passengers and plays a strategic role in the development of national and regional logistics chains.

In particular, the network plays a key role in the transport of manganese, of which Gabon is one of the world's leading producers, a mineral viewed as critical to the global energy transition.

THE TEAM

The Orrick team is led by Yves Lepage and Hugues Martin-Sisteron, and includes Christophe Lefort, Adil Kourtih and Farrah Bandomi Mombongo.

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