Owendo, Gabon – The municipality of Owendo has unveiled an ambitious plan to boost its annual revenue by up to 300 million FCFA, beginning with the introduction of a modernised fleet of vehicles aimed at improving tax collection and municipal services.
On 9 August 2025, the city received a first delivery of five new pick-up trucks, marking the start of a progressive equipment programme designed to enhance the operational capacity of municipal teams.
The investment is part of a broader strategy to strengthen the council’s own financial resources and reduce dependency on external funding.
The new vehicles will be deployed primarily to improve the efficiency of field missions, particularly in the collection of municipal taxes and fees.
By ensuring better mobility for agents, city officials hope to close revenue gaps and increase collection rates.
An additional ten vehicles are expected to join the fleet in the coming weeks, significantly expanding the municipality’s logistical capacity.
Officials say this expansion will allow tax collection teams to reach more areas with greater regularity, reducing revenue leakage and improving compliance among residents and businesses.
The current recovery rate for municipal revenue stands at around 60% of what is expected. The council’s target is to raise this figure to 80% in the medium term, a move projected to generate an extra 200 to 300 million FCFA annually.
“These additional resources will be channelled into essential development projects,” a municipal spokesperson said, citing priorities such as road rehabilitation, expanding public lighting, and enhancing waste management services.
For Owendo, the initiative represents more than just a logistical upgrade – it signals a push towards financial autonomy and a stronger, more responsive local government. The council believes that by modernising its operations, the city can deliver better services while laying the groundwork for sustainable urban development.
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