🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Gabon launches Kimba Connect, its first national Open Innovation challenge to accelerate digital transformation
via Gabon Review6 min read
The Gabonese government, through the Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, in partnership with the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises FEG, officially launched Kimba Connect on July 14, 2026. This platform is Gabon's first national Open Innovation challenge, aiming to connect businesses with startups to develop digital solutions tailored to the Gabonese market and boost national economic competitiveness. The initiative seeks to bridge the gap between companies facing digital transformation challenges and Gabonese startups offering innovative solutions. Minister of Digital Economy, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, stated that Kimba Connect creates a meeting point for these entities, making innovation a lever for competitiveness and a driver of economic growth. The government intends to foster local technological entrepreneurship and cultivate national champions to modernize the Gabonese economic landscape. Yves Benoit Andecko, coordinator of Kimba Connect, highlighted that this public-private partnership will connect startups with large enterprises, encouraging businesses to trust and challenge startups with their digitalization needs. This dynamic is expected to open a market for 150 to 200 Gabonese startups. The initiative addresses challenges such as digitalization of services, cybersecurity, data management, customer experience improvement, and AI integration. Kimba Connect will provide a structured framework for open innovation and cooperation, with selected s
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Gabon's government, led by Vice President Hermann Immongault, has outlined a clear roadmap for the 2027 finance bill, emphasizing increased budgetary discipline to restore macroeconomic stability while safeguarding social safety nets for the most vulnerable. During the opening of budget conferences on July 14 in Libreville, Immongault stressed the need to balance fiscal rigor with social justice, aligning with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's directives. The government aims to consolidate public finances without compromising social gains, making the preservation of social safety nets an unchangeable principle for the 2027-2029 budget. This includes securing funds for emergency allocations, access to drinking water and electricity, and social justice policies. Ministries are directed to focus budget proposals on concrete actions for youth employability and support for vulnerable households. Immongault reiterated that financial consolidation must not weaken exposed populations. This social priority is coupled with stricter public management. All credit requests must be exhaustively justified from the initial stages, categorized as "First necessity," "Ongoing," and "New measures." Public investments will also face stricter oversight, with no major project included in the 2027 budget without feasibility studies and proven technical maturity. The government also plans to strengthen public resource mobilization by addressing extra-budgetary management mechanisms. Immongault
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
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.