Gabon hosts Newspace Africa Conference, aims to become a strategic hub for African space technology
via Gabon Review5 min read
Gabon is hosting the Newspace Africa Conference from April 20 to 23, 2026, a pan-African event focused on space governance, networking, and business partnerships. The opening ceremony took place on Monday at the Angondjé stadium in Akanda. The conference aims to solidify Gabon's commitment to enhancing its role in the African space sector. Laurence Ndong, Minister of Public Service and Capacity Building, acting as interim Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, highlighted Gabon's ambition to become a strategic space hub in Central Africa. She stated that this ambition is part of a broader project to modernize the state, using digital technology, data, space, and artificial intelligence to build a more efficient, transparent, and citizen-centric government. Ndong emphasized that Africa will no longer accept being a passive testing ground for space technologies developed elsewhere without its informed consent, advocating for the continent to be an active and respected partner in research and development. Tidiane Ouattara, Director of the African Space Agency, praised Gabon's leadership in coordinating African space affairs, noting that Gabon was chosen to host the 5th edition of the conference due to its significant contribution to building the African space ecosystem. Aboubacar Mambimba, head of the Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations AGEOS, outlined three strategic pillars for the event: human resource development through collaboration, te
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AGL Gabon successfully managed the unloading and transport of a 132-ton cement kiln, measuring 16.07 meters long, 5.22 meters wide, and 5.30 meters high, for an industrial plant expansion in Gabon. This operation, which required weeks of preparation, custom equipment, and precise coordination, demonstrates AGL Gabon's expertise in handling exceptional cargo. To ensure safety, the company utilized an oversized trailer capable of supporting up to 199 tons, a first for Gabon's national logistics infrastructure. This investment aims to develop a local sector for heavy and exceptional packages in Central Africa. Patrick Gerenthon, AGL Gabon's General Manager, stated that the operation highlights the team's ability to tackle complex logistical challenges and deploy suitable technical solutions, adding that the trailer acquisition reflects their commitment to investing in high-performance equipment and developing local skills. AGL Gabon's strategy includes training employees in specialized equipment operation, aiming to establish Gabon as a leading logistics hub for heavy cargo in the CEMAC zone, serving major industrial projects in the sub-region. With 1,100 employees in Gabon, AGL provides port handling, maritime consignment, transit logistics, and customs brokerage services, positioning itself as an integrated logistics chain player supporting Gabon's economic and social development.
Must ReadGabon is hosting the 5th edition of the NewSpace Africa forum, highlighting its growing role in the continent's space sector. The country's position in the African space scene is attributed to a clear vision and consistent investments, particularly in geospatial observation capabilities and the development of its space ecosystem. This leadership is recognized by continental actors in the sector. Gabon is seen as a regional hub and a driving force for coordinating space initiatives in Central Africa, contributing to a coherent and dynamic African ecosystem. The Gabonese Agency for Space Studies and Observations AGEOS, established in 2010 in the Nkok economic zone, is central to Gabon's space development. AGEOS has built strong geospatial observation capabilities covering several African countries. H.E Dr Tifiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Agency Council, commended Gabon's leadership in making it a prime location for space business, its commitment to coordinating space activities in Central Africa, and its contribution to the African space ecosystem. Beyond technical capabilities, Gabon is involved in pan-African initiatives, such as its 2018 collaboration with the African Union and the European Commission on the first African space program forum under the GMES & Africa program. These collaborations have strengthened national expertise and integrated Gabon into major space cooperation networks. Gabon's decision to host the 2026 NewSpace Africa Conference further s
Must ReadThe Ensemble Pour le Gabon EPG party has issued a press release on April 20, 2026, condemning the conditions of detention for its president, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who was incarcerated on April 16, 2026. According to the Executive Bureau, the former Prime Minister has not received any visits since his preventive detention. His lawyers' attempts to gain access to their client on April 20, 2026, were unsuccessful, with judicial authorities providing no official explanation for the refusal. The EPG interprets this as "total isolation," a term in Gabonese criminal law that implies a ban on all external contact and cannot be legally extended beyond certain deadlines without a reasoned decision. The party and the defense are facing a procedural void due to the lack of official communication from the prosecutor's office or the investigating judge. The communiqué did not mention the charges against Bilie-By-Nze or announce immediate legal action, but the tone suggests a potential escalation in the coming days.
Must ReadThe arrest of Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze on April 15, 2026, over an 18-year-old debt of 5 million CFA francs, has ignited a significant political controversy on Gabonese social media platforms. Despite network suspensions, these platforms have become a battleground for competing narratives surrounding the arrest. Supporters of Bilie-By-Nze, particularly from the Ensemble pour le Gabon EPG party, view it as a political maneuver to silence a prominent opposition figure, highlighting the timing of the arrest after his recent criticisms of the government. They frequently use the term "arbitrary" to describe the situation, suggesting it's a message to all who resist. Concerns have also been raised by activists, such as "Princesse de Souba" on X, alleging that Bilie-By-Nze is being held in a secret location and subjected to mistreatment. While these claims are uncorroborated by independent sources, their widespread circulation underscores a lack of transparent communication from authorities regarding the detention of a leading opposition figure. In contrast, pro-regime accounts maintain that the arrest is a matter of justice, asserting that Bilie-By-Nze is an ordinary citizen facing legal proceedings for a debt. This narrative attempts to portray him as a manager caught up in past dealings rather than a political victim. However, the small sum involved 5 million CFA francs has ironically bolstered Bilie-By-Nze's image among some online users, who contrast it with larger, unpunished