Gabon has long prioritized digital technology. Building on this foundation, newly elected President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema aims to accelerate progress, positioning the nation as a leading African technology hub through ambitious reforms and strategic investments.
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, elected President of Gabon on Sunday after leading the country as Transitional President since the August 2023 military coup, has placed digital development as a key priority in his administration's six-pillar political program.
Oligui Nguema, recognizing digital technology's pivotal role in economic and social development, aims to modernize infrastructure, ensure equitable internet access, and position Gabon as a Central African technology hub.
A central component of his vision is the accelerated deployment of fiber-optic networks nationwide, with the goal of achieving widespread broadband coverage, particularly in underserved rural areas, to bridge the digital divide. He views connectivity as a fundamental right, ensuring all Gabonese citizens, public administrations, and businesses have access to fast, reliable, and affordable internet.
According to DataReportal, Gabon had 1.84 million internet users at the beginning of 2025, representing a 71.9% penetration rate. The government aims to achieve 100% penetration by strengthening infrastructure and ensuring nationwide digital service accessibility.
Building national data centers is also a priority to ensure digital sovereignty. These facilities will store sensitive state data locally and support a dynamic digital ecosystem. The first data center's construction was awarded to Indian company Shapoorji-Pallonji in 2023.
Supporting digital entrepreneurship and local innovation is another key initiative. The presidential program includes innovation hubs and tech incubators, such as the Gabonese Innovation Center, to support startups' growth. Access to financing, public procurement, and business opportunities will be facilitated, alongside modern coworking spaces to foster innovation.
Digitizing public administration is a reform priority. Modernizing institutions like the National Social Security Fund (CNSS) aims to improve service efficiency, enhance transparency in public fund management, and increase user satisfaction. A digital platform for public services is slated for launch in the first half of 2025 to digitize administrative procedures and combat delays and corruption.
This digital strategy is part of a broader state rebuilding effort, focusing on tools to track public spending, stricter project planning and execution, and civil service professionalization. The digital sector has contributed around 5% of Gabon's GDP for nearly five years, and the government aims to double this share through investment, innovation, and job creation.
Regionally, Gabon is a top performer. In 2024, it recorded an ICT adoption index of 74.7 out of 100, according to the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), ranking 10th in Africa. In e-government, it ranks 15th on the continent with a digital government development index of 0.5741, according to the United Nations.
Through this integrated approach, Oligui Nguema seeks to make digital technology a cornerstone of Gabon's renewal, aiming to build a sovereign, innovative, and inclusive tech ecosystem for sustainable growth, youth opportunities, and transparent governance.
Samira Njoya
