馃嚞馃嚘GabonCentral Africa
Gabon's Digital Economy Minister advocates for investment and skills transfer in partnership with China
via Gabon Review5 min read
Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, engaged with Chinese authorities on digital projects during the World Economic Forum's Annual Meeting of the New Champions in Dalian, China, from June 22 to 27. Doumba met with Chen Xiaodong, President of the China International Development Cooperation Agency CIDCA, to discuss strengthening their strategic partnership in digital technology, innovation, and technological infrastructure. Discussions focused on connectivity, data sovereignty, critical infrastructure hosting, institutional capacity building, and accelerating Gabon's digital transformation. Libreville aims for partnerships based on sustainable investments, skills transfer, and digital infrastructure development to support national administration and economic modernization, aligning with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's strategy for digital transformation as a key driver for economic diversification. Doumba also participated in a panel titled "Less Talking, More Deals," advocating for international economic cooperation that yields tangible benefits for populations, emphasizing that trade, investment, and digital advancements should create local value, qualified jobs, and production capacity. He highlighted Africa's declining share in global exports and called for a reevaluation of cooperation mechanisms to better integrate the continent into global value chains, stressing the need for productive investments, technolo
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Must ReadRepresentatives from Central African Economic and Social Councils met in N'Djamena, Chad, on June 25 and 26, 2026, to establish the Conference of Economic and Social Councils of Central Africa COCESAC. Gabon was awarded the first vice-presidency of this new organization, recognizing its delegation's contributions during the discussions. The Gabonese Economic, Social, Environmental and Cultural Council CESEC delegation was led by its second vice-president, Geoffroy Foumboula Libeka. COCESAC aims to strengthen cooperation among the region's Economic and Social Councils, serving as a permanent platform for dialogue, consultation, and proposing solutions to key economic, social, environmental, and development challenges. The organization also seeks to foster shared experiences, harmonize perspectives, and present common positions on regional development and integration. The president of the Economic, Social, Cultural and Environmental Council of Chad, Dr. Ing. Ahmat Mbodou Mahamat, was elected president of COCESAC, with Congo taking the second vice-presidency. Cameroon will serve as treasurer general and the Central African Republic as rapporteur general. Cl茅ment De-Boutet M鈥橞amba was appointed permanent secretary. This position for Gabon's CESEC acknowledges its involvement in preparatory work and commitment to sub-regional institutional cooperation, enhancing its role in regional institutional diplomacy.
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