Gabon is divided into 9 provinces, which constitute the country's primary administrative division. As the sole level of subnational administration, provinces serve as the principal unit for implementing national policies and delivering public services across the country's territory. Each province is headed by a governor appointed by the central government, who coordinates local administration and represents state authority at the regional level. Provinces handle essential functions including public health, education, infrastructure maintenance, and law enforcement coordination within their jurisdictions. They also serve as electoral constituencies and statistical units for national planning purposes. This administrative structure allows Gabon's central government to maintain oversight while addressing regional needs across the country's diverse geographic areas, from coastal regions to interior rainforest zones.