Gabon initiates studies for its first national satellite
via Gabon Review8 min read
Gabon is preparing to join other African nations with their own orbital assets, as announced on April 23, 2026, at the NewSpace Africa Conference in Akanda, near Libreville. The Secretary-General of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digitalization stated that technical and economic studies are underway for the acquisition of a national satellite. This project aligns with the Gabonese government's digital roadmap, aiming to address needs such as connectivity in remote areas, monitoring of forest and mining resources, coastal management, public services support, and secure governmental communications. The methodical approach involves feasibility analysis before financial commitments, considering options like Earth observation, telecommunications payload, or a hybrid system. No specific budget or timeline has been released. Hosting the NewSpace Africa Conference highlights Gabon's ambition to attract investors in the space sector. While over fifteen African countries have launched at least one satellite, Gabon is starting fresh, likely seeking partnerships with foreign manufacturers for technology transfer. The estimated cost for a medium-sized observation satellite, including ground segment and launch, ranges from 50 to 150 million dollars. The studies will help determine the financial effort and potential co-financing mechanisms, such as public-private partnerships, concessional loans, or intergovernmental agreements. A national satellite would reduce dependence on foreign o
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Must ReadA petition initiated by Gabonese students is challenging school regulations that mandate shaved heads for boys and prohibit certain natural hairstyles for girls. The petition, addressed to the President and the Minister of National Education, argues that these rules contradict the school's teaching of pride in African roots and create unnecessary physical formatting that leads to complexes among adolescents. With nearly 3,000 signatures and over 1,400 comments, the online mobilization highlights students being sanctioned or excluded from classes over hair length, despite focusing on their studies. The petitioners emphasize that intelligence is not linked to hairstyles and that well-maintained natural hair is compatible with academic concentration and respect for authority. They point out that no legal text supports these mandatory hair rules, which are merely custom copied across internal school regulations. The students are not seeking to abandon discipline but advocate for the right to wear neat, natural afros, short non-shaved hair for boys, and braids, twists, or locks made with their own hair for girls, without artificial additions. They argue that the current rules send a contradictory message about self-acceptance and question the number of class days lost due to these exclusions. The petition concludes with a plea for students to be allowed to study "with their heads held high."
The Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation announced its plan to establish a presence in Gabon by December 2026. This announcement was made by Charles Oula Siehe, Special Advisor for Africa to the Foundation, following a meeting with Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema in Paris on July 22. President Nguema, who was on a state visit, gave his agreement in principle for the initiative. The Foundation's installation aims to support Gabon's environmental preservation and sustainable development policies, aligning with the country's environmental ambitions. It is also expected to strengthen cooperation between Libreville and the Principality of Monaco and support projects that improve the living conditions of the population. Established in 2006 by Prince Albert II of Monaco, the non-profit organization focuses on biodiversity, climate change, ocean protection, and sustainable water resource management, primarily in the Mediterranean basin, polar regions, and least developed countries. This move is part of its strategy to assist states with significant natural capital facing conservation and sustainable development challenges.
The Gabonese Agricultural Development Company SOGADA received over 55,000 day-old chicks in Libreville on Monday, July 20, all intended for egg laying. This significant arrival reinforces SOGADA's ambition to build a strong and competitive national poultry sector and sustainably increase its egg production. Herv茅 Patrick Opiangah, SOGADA's shareholder, has championed this goal for several years, aiming to contribute to Gabon's food security. SOGADA, operating with entirely private and Gabonese capital, has focused on local production even before food sovereignty became an official priority. The company's integrated model, built by Herv茅 Patrick Opiangah, relies on four pillars: biosecurity, innovation, industrial transformation, and the development of national skills, positioning it as a pioneer in modern poultry farming in Gabon. This influx of chicks represents a coherent industrial vision to increase domestic production and progressively reduce reliance on imports. SOGADA has created local jobs and offers products that meet high health standards. The company's short-cycle model ensures products are raised, harvested, fed, collected, and consumed locally, directly benefiting Gabonese consumers. Over the years, SOGADA has invested in modernizing its breeding infrastructure, developing egg carton manufacturing, and strengthening its biosecurity protocols, demonstrating a consistent effort to anticipate Gabon's needs.