🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Gabon and UNDP accelerate judicial modernization efforts, focusing on National School of Magistracy
via Gabon Review2 min read
On July 13, the Resident Representative of the United Nations Development Programme UNDP, Rokya Ye-Dieng, and Gabon's Minister of Justice, Augustin Emane, held a working session to review progress on the joint program "Promoting an accountable, effective, and inclusive justice sector in Gabon," supported by the Japanese government. Discussions focused on the modernization of Gabon's judicial system, including the construction of an annex for the National School of Magistracy ENM, which is now expected to be delivered on November 26, 2026. This infrastructure is a key component of the justice reform program, which centers on three main areas: digitalization of judicial procedures, strengthening infrastructure, and developing the skills of justice professionals. The goal is to create a more efficient, accessible, and contemporary justice system in Gabon, notably through the digitization of the criminal chain, electronic management of judicial acts, and the establishment of an integrated digital system to bring justice closer to citizens. The officials also discussed ensuring the sustainability of current investments, including the possibility of drilling a well to supply water to the future ENM building. They also emphasized the need for increased technical support from international partners for revising procedural codes and proposed forming a working group with all Ministry of Justice partners to pool expertise and resources. This meeting reaffirmed the commitment of the Gabo
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Gabon achieved significant success at the Zone 4 African Karate Championship held in Bujumbura, Burundi, from July 10 to 12, winning a total of 15 medals. The Gabonese delegation secured five gold, four silver, and six bronze medals, outperforming host country Burundi, Cameroon, Congo, Equatorial Guinea, the Democratic Republic of Congo, the Central African Republic, and Chad. Gold medalists included David Obissa seniors -67 kg, Gildas Nicolas Yoan Koumoué Ongondja seniors -84 kg, David Olivier Nzong Nzong +76 kg, Tracy Bipakila espoirs +68 kg, and Christiy Ayouma. Silver medals were awarded to Loisye Cokin Chakamabal Mombo seniors -60 kg, Pierre Jacques Morambeaud Mourambou juniors -76 kg, Alain Festus Obissa Oyabi espoirs -67 kg, and Mboungah Villinet Daryl espoirs -60 kg. Bronze medalists included Jeriel Siméon Mouissi kata, Noé Makaya Ibouanga juniors -61 kg, Deacken Kirwin Owansango juniors -55 kg, Samuel Fallou Poaty Diallo juniors -68 kg, Warren Koumbi Moutety -75 kg, and Villinet Daryl Mboungah. In addition to the athletic achievements, Claude Pamphil Youmou Andimi, president of the Gabonese Federation of Karate-do and Affiliated Martial Arts FGKAMA, was elected second vice-president of the Union of African Karate Federations UFAK during an assembly held alongside the championship. This election strengthens Gabon's presence in African karate's governing bodies.
The Financial Institutions Reform Management Unit UGRIF of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CEMAC announced on July 10 the results of its call for expressions of interest, launched in March, as part of the Project to Strengthen the Capacities of Regional Financial Institutions. Three Gabonese companies, Samb'a Assurances, Gabon Power Company GPC, and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal FMCT, are among the four selected to receive support for their introduction to the Central African Securities Exchange BVMAC. The fourth company is Cameroon Hotel Corporation from Cameroon. This initiative aims to boost the regional financial market by increasing the number of listed companies and encouraging the use of capital market financing. The selection process involved opening and analyzing applications received on April 30, 2026. The project, co-financed by the Bank of Central African States BEAC, the BVMAC, the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission Cosumaf, and the African Development Bank AfDB, seeks to remove the significant barrier of high initial public offering costs for candidate companies. Samb'a Assurances is recognized for its digital micro-insurance for informal sector workers and low-income populations. Gabon Power Company, a subsidiary of the Gabonese Strategic Investment Fund FGIS, is developing a portfolio of energy projects, aiming to mobilize 40 to 50 billion CFA francs on the regional market. Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal, also back
Must ReadGabon's Minister of Higher Education, Professor Charles Edgard Mombo, announced on July 13, 2026, the findings of an audit into payments for temporary teaching assignments in public higher education institutions. The audit, conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance under instructions from President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, revealed a discrepancy of over 1 billion FCFA. While the twelve public higher education institutions declared a debt of 3.488 billion FCFA, only 2.428 billion FCFA were deemed compliant after verification. The audit examined beneficiaries, actual hours worked, and the conformity of rates for nearly 5,700 faculty and staff. The government confirmed that payments for compliant assignments would continue and that the audit report would be sent to the Ministry of Justice to establish accountability for the irregularities. Regarding the University of Science and Technology of Masuku USTM, where faculty are currently on strike, Professor Mombo stated that a first payment of over 700 million FCFA has been made available from the Treasury towards a total debt of 1.206 billion FCFA. The government is also revising a decree from March 7, 2023, to standardize hourly rates and eliminate disparities among institutions, aiming to restore credibility to Gabon's higher education system through rigorous management of public resources.