At the heart of Libreville’s bustling informal economy, a pervasive issue casts a shadow over the daily lives of countless traders. Mont-Bouët, Gabon’s largest market, has become synonymous with systematic extortion, a challenge now squarely facing the capital’s mayor, Eugène Mba. This deeply entrenched system of illicit payments has emerged as the primary obstacle for the new municipal leadership.
Beneath the vibrant energy of market stalls and the calls of vendors lies a darker truth. Numerous traders, brought together by the Syndicat des débrouillards du Gabon (SDG) and the ONG Solidarité pour le développement du Gabon (ONG-SDG), have bravely spoken out. They describe a meticulously organized scheme of illegal levies, allegedly involving certain municipal employees and even members of law enforcement.
The amounts demanded far exceed official regulatory taxes. One vendor voiced their frustration, stating, “Municipal agents are collecting 2,000 FCFA per stall, instead of the stipulated 500 FCFA.” Compounding the problem, official receipts or tickets are rarely issued, effectively concealing a widespread fraud that severely impacts the already tight budgets of small business owners.
Eradicating persistent market extortion: a formidable task
Sadly, this phenomenon is not new. It has plagued successive municipal administrations, remaining stubbornly resistant to change. Protected by deeply rooted networks of influence and a glaring absence of traceability for cash payments, this extortion has become a chronic ailment. It erodes profits already diminished by a general decline in purchasing power, making the situation even more precarious for traders.
Given the inadequate control mechanisms within City Hall, the new municipal team, led by Mayor Eugène Mba, faces an immense undertaking.
Digitalization: a pathway to market integrity?
In the face of what some are calling a “mission impossible,” potential solutions are emerging to cleanse the management of Libreville’s markets. For many economic observers, the key lies in embracing transparency and digitalizing payment systems. By eliminating the handling of physical cash by intermediaries and channeling direct digital transactions to municipal accounts, the city could effectively dismantle the power base of corrupt agents.
For Eugène Mba, the stakes extend beyond mere urban management. It’s about rebuilding trust between the municipal administration and the local economic operators who form the backbone of the capital’s subsistence economy, a vital aspect of the broader African economy today.
