Grand Poubara Dam, Gravity dam near Franceville, Gabon
The Grand Poubara is a concrete gravity dam on the Ogooué River south of Franceville with four turbines for power generation. The structure harnesses water flow through its generators to produce electricity for the surrounding region.
Construction began in 2008 with support from China and was completed in 2013. Its completion marked an important turning point for power supply in the region.
The dam symbolizes industrial progress in the Haut-Ogooué region and shapes how the Ogooué valley looks today. Visitors can observe how this infrastructure changed daily life for people in nearby communities.
The structure is located roughly 15 kilometers south of Franceville and is reachable from that city. Visitors should check access rules beforehand since the site operates as an active industrial facility.
The facility diverts water around Poubara Falls rather than flooding it, preserving a natural landmark in the landscape. This engineering choice made it possible to power the nation's first manganese processing plant.
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