🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Gabonese women launch manifesto to influence public debate
via Gabon Review4 min read
On April 17, 2026, during National Gabonese Women's Day, 25 Gabonese women from diverse professional backgrounds, including dancers, writers, lawyers, and personal development coaches, gathered at the Baie des Rois to discuss challenges and opportunities for women's professional and artistic development. The event centered on the presentation of the Institut Concorde's White Paper, a collective work by these 25 women, aiming to encourage women's participation in Gabon's public discourse. The White Paper offers recommendations to shape public debate and national decisions, focusing on women's engagement in the public sphere, their legitimacy, and their increased presence on social media. Nathalie Avomo, a cosmetics entrepreneur and contributor, emphasized the urgency for women to claim their rightful place, stating that the book provides inspiration through its diverse profiles. Anne-Mira Ossouka Ndyage, another contributor, explained the blue cover of the "White Paper" symbolizes its purpose as a document of recommendations for public authorities, highlighting concrete ways to improve the framework and promotion of women's rights in Gabon. The book, already available in Port-Gentil, will embark on a national tour to reach a wider audience, especially young people. Chelsy 241, a tourism agency manager, expressed her satisfaction, noting that discussing the commitment of Gabonese women deeply resonated with her, and she believes the book can be a catalyst for those wishing to c
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Gabon has been fully reinstated within the Inter-Parliamentary Union IPU at its 152nd Assembly in Istanbul, Türkiye. The IPU's Governing Council officially confirmed the country's complete rehabilitation, ending its monitoring under the political transition initiated in August 2023. A Gabonese delegation, led by the President of the National Assembly, Michel Régis Onanga M. Ndiaye, participated in the assembly, which brought together over 130 delegations and about sixty parliamentary presidents. The decision was unanimously welcomed, signifying institutional normalization in line with international standards. This reinstatement is a result of efforts by Gabonese authorities during the political transition to restore the credibility of institutions. An IPU official noted that Gabon's removal from the monitored countries list acknowledges its consistent efforts in governance and adherence to international commitments, as well as progress in institutional stability and cooperation with international partners. Michel Régis Onanga M. Ndiaye expressed gratitude for the international parliamentary community's support, stating that the decision reinforces Gabon's determination to continue reforms. He also highlighted parliamentary diplomacy's crucial role in supporting the Executive and enhancing the state's international credibility. This development is attributed to the leadership of the President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, and is seen as a collective victory de
Gabon's timber industry experienced a significant contraction in 2025, with activity declining by 6% in the fourth quarter and an annual drop of 23.7%. This downturn is primarily attributed to an unfavorable international environment, including the Chinese real estate crisis, which has reduced market share for Gabonese timber. Additionally, increased competition from Brazilian pine, offered at half the price of Okoumé, has diverted demand. Structural and cyclical factors such as weak global demand, intensified competition from other tropical wood species, and operational constraints from unstable energy supply have also impacted production cycles. While the sawing segment saw a slight quarterly improvement of 1.5% due to increased orders and better stock management, its annual production still fell by 28.3%. Conversely, the veneer and plywood segments continued their decline in the fourth quarter. Veneer production decreased by 11.6% due to insufficient log supply, weak demand, and power outages. Plywood production also dropped by 3.4% due to low demand and electricity cuts, despite an annual increase of 2.9%.
Must ReadThe 3rd UK-Gabon Trade and Investment Forum, held on April 15, 2026, at Nomad, highlighted Gabon's strategic focus on digital transformation. Alberto Wenceslas MOUNGUENGUI MOUDOKI, Director General of the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies ANINF, presented the country's vision to leverage digital technology for competitiveness, public efficiency, and national sovereignty. This aligns with the vision of His Excellency Mr. Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA, President of the Republic, Head of State, Head of Government. Gabon's national ambition for digital sovereignty is built on four pillars: governance and regulation, skills development, operational capabilities, and international cooperation. The forum clarified that digital technology is a common language across all sectors, transforming economic discussions into strategic clarifications. The event showcased Gabon's commitment to structuring and organizing the digital revolution to create value, rather than merely undergoing it. A significant outcome was providing partners with a clearer understanding of Gabon's framework, particularly Law 037, which serves as the reference for digitalization. This demonstrates that digital transformation is a coordinated national obligation, not a collection of scattered initiatives, reassuring investors and partners about Gabon's clear direction and methodology. The forum also revealed extensive opportunities for intervention in sectors like health, education, finance, e
Must ReadMe Sarah Ognyane, counsel for Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, has presented a version of events that contradicts the official narrative following his placement under a committal order. She refutes the criminal qualifications of fraud and breach of trust against the president of Ensemble pour le Gabon EPG. Speaking on EPG's Facebook page, Me Ognyane detailed the origin of the case, which dates back to 2008. During the organization of the Festival of Cultures, led by then Vice-Prime Minister Paul Mba Abessole, a committee chaired by Bilie-By-Nze found itself without public funding three days before launch. Ms. Baba Ramatou Amadou, a committee member, proposed that everyone contribute. Bilie-By-Nze contributed three million CFA francs, Ms. Ramatou five million, and others completed the nine million CFA francs pre-financing. Only Ms. Ramatou requested an acknowledgment of receipt, which the committee president provided. Me Ognyane also described the circumstances of Bilie-By-Nze's arrest, which he characterized as a "kidnapping." According to his account, a vehicle blocked his path, masked men seized his phones, and police identification only occurred afterward. Bilie-By-Nze reportedly reiterated this account to the investigating judge. Regarding the substance of the accusations, Me Ognyane systematically dismantled the prosecution's case. Citing articles 301 and 307 of the Penal Code, she argued that fraud requires fraudulent maneuvers, and breach of trust requires a transfer for dep