Gabon to launch studies for its first satellite
via Gabon Review2 min read
Gabon plans to initiate studies for its first satellite, as announced by the Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital Economy and Digitalization on the final day of the NewSpace Africa Conference in Akanda on Thursday, April 23, 2026. This ambition aims to solidify the country's position in the space sector. The conference, which concluded after four days of discussions, positioned Gabon as a significant African space hub during the event. Aline Minko Mi Etoua, Secretary General of the Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, highlighted the strategic discussions held in Libreville regarding the future of space in Africa. Three key priorities for Gabon emerged: implementing a national space policy, establishing Libreville as a sub-regional space hub, and launching studies for the first Gabonese satellite. Dr. Tidiane Ouattara, President of the African Space Agency Council, emphasized the diplomatic and strategic importance of the conference, calling for collective engagement in developing Africa's space sector. He encouraged the diaspora to return and foreign investors to engage more with the continent to build a sustainable space entrepreneurial ecosystem. The sixth edition of the NewSpace Africa Conference will be held in Senegal.
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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.
Gabon's national football team, the Panthers, has advanced two spots to 84th in the latest FIFA world rankings, published on July 20, 2026. This places them 16th in Africa, with 1,272.51 points. This modest progression follows their 86th position in the previous ranking on June 11. The team's improvement comes despite no official matches since the FIFA Series in March and their non-participation in the 2026 World Cup. This upward movement is seen as a positive sign for the Gabonese selection, which is currently undergoing a rebuilding phase. The appointment of a new coach, S茅bastien Mign茅, and the return of Alain Giresse to the technical staff are fueling hopes for increased competitiveness. If this new dynamic leads to positive results in upcoming continental and global qualifiers, Gabon could continue to rise in the FIFA rankings. Globally, Spain, the 2026 World Cup champion, holds the top spot, followed by Argentina and France, with England and Brazil completing the top five. In Africa, Morocco is ranked 6th globally, ahead of Senegal 18th and Egypt 24th. Gabon aims to close the gap with the leading African teams through the momentum generated by its new technical staff.