The government of Gabon signed a $84 million loan with China in 2008 to finance the construction of the dam.

The goal was to develop an alternative power source to the Kongou Falls Dam for the iron ore extraction sites also operated by the Chinese in Belinga.

The dam diverts the river around the Poubara Falls where four 40-megawatt (54,000 hp) Francis turbine-generators are powered.

The majority of the dam and power station was funded by the Chinese government and the project was constructed by Sinohydro.

[2][3][4] Starting in 2015, the Grand Poubara Dam powers Moanda's Metallurgical Complex, the country's first manganese-processing plant.