🇬🇦GabonCentral Africa
Libreville to host Europe Fortnight 2026, strengthening Gabon-EU cooperation
via Gabon Review2 min read
Libreville will host the Europe Fortnight from May 5 to 13, 2026, an event celebrating cooperation between Gabon and the European Union. A press conference held on April 22, 2026, officially announced the event, which aims to foster exchanges, discoveries, and discussions on key development issues. Cécile Abadie, the Ambassador of the European Union to Gabon, emphasized the initiative's importance, stating its goal is to present the program and reiterate the EU's role as a partner to Gabon. The theme for this year is "solidarities," reflecting current realities and promoting essential values like mutual respect and dialogue. Cooperation between the EU and Gabon is structured around significant projects in waste management and energy. The Ambassador highlighted the implementation of a modern waste treatment system to create a recycling economy and underscored Gabon's strong potential in renewable energies, particularly hydroelectric. The Global Gateway initiative has also advanced in Gabon, with the EU and the French Development Agency signing a joint agreement to modernize and secure the Transgabonais railway. This program combines grants and loans to support strategic projects in sectors such as mining, forestry, and tourism. The Europe Fortnight will include a European film festival, educational activities for youth, and a citizen forum with civil society in partnership with International IDEA. The event reaffirms the EU's commitment to strengthening its presence in Gabon a
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On April 22, 2026, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema received Parfait Onanga-Anyanga, the interim Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General for Central Africa. During their meeting, discussions included the construction of a "United Nations House" in Libreville, a project aimed at strengthening the effectiveness of the UN system in Gabon. President Oligui Nguema confirmed the imminent launch of this project, expressing his desire to lay the first stone. This facility will centralize various UN agencies present in Gabon on a single site, with the dual objective of improving coordination of interventions and optimizing resource utilization. By consolidating UN entities, Gabonese authorities seek to enhance the impact of development and stabilization programs in the country and across Central Africa. This initiative aligns with Gabon's strategic regional role as the headquarters for the Economic Community of Central African States ECCAS and the United Nations Regional Office for Central Africa UNOCA. The creation of this "House" signifies a commitment to operational and locally anchored multilateralism. Onanga-Anyanga commended Gabon's progress, particularly its successful political transition, which led to its full reintegration into continental bodies like the African Union AU and its Peace and Security Council. He also highlighted Gabon's active contribution to promoting peace and stability in Africa. Onanga-Anyanga reaffirmed the UN's commitment to Gabon and Central Afri
Must ReadFranco-Gabonese defensive player Jeffrey M’Ba, 26, is on the cusp of a significant career milestone as he eyes the 2026 NFL Draft, scheduled for April 23-27 in Pittsburgh, USA. M’Ba could become only the second Frenchman drafted into the NFL and, notably, the first Gabonese player to achieve this feat. Despite the extremely low probability of being drafted, with only 1.6% of eligible players selected annually, M’Ba is determined to hear his name called by an NFL franchise. Born in Libreville in 1999, M’Ba moved to France at age four and discovered American football later in life. His impressive physique, standing at 1.97 meters and weighing 143 kilograms, quickly drew attention. After winning a French championship, he pursued opportunities in the United States. His journey included academic hurdles that led him back to France in 2020, but he persevered, attending a junior college in Kansas before progressing to top university programs like Auburn and Purdue. He currently plays for the SMU Mustangs in the Atlantic Coast Conference ACC, where he recorded 42 tackles and five sacks in the 2024 season. His performance earned him an invitation to the Senior Bowl, a key showcase for NFL prospects. M’Ba stated to The Draft Network, "I am ready to prove that I am the player that every NFL team needs." He remains focused despite fierce competition, adding, "I just want my name to be called. No matter who calls me, I will be there." To date, Richard Tardits, drafted in 1989, is the only
On April 22, 2026, Gabon's President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema met with Marco Patricio Zambrano Restrepo, the new UNESCO representative in Gabon, to establish the foundation for a partnership between the UN institution and Gabonese authorities. The discussions focused on strengthening cooperation in education, including support for the Gabonese school system, increased integration of digital tools in learning, and professional and technical skills development for teachers. The UNESCO representative praised the clarity of the presidential vision, emphasizing the importance of receiving cooperation directives from the President. The meeting also covered culture and science, with a focus on enhancing Gabon's heritage. The possibility of listing new Gabonese sites on UNESCO's World Heritage list was discussed to boost the country's international cultural influence. President Oligui Nguema expressed a desire for UNESCO to intensify its support in both the educational sector and the implementation of structuring projects, aligning cooperation with Gabon's sustainable and inclusive development goals.
Libreville will host the first International Forum for Innovation and Development on May 3, 2026, at the Palais des Congrès. The event, announced by Special Advisor and Presidential Spokesperson Théophane Nzame-Nze Biyoghe and Commissioner General for Exhibitions of Gabon Nina Alida Abouna, will focus on "Political stability, business climate, and artificial intelligence: catalysts for growth." This initiative aims to reposition Gabon as a credible, stable, and innovative player on the international stage, aligning with the dynamic set by President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, whose first anniversary in office coincides with the forum. The forum is part of a broader strategy for international outreach and structural transformation of the national economy, highlighting Gabon as a land of opportunities, innovation, and dialogue. The event is expected to gather 1,000 participants, 300 companies, 200 high-level speakers, and representatives from 35 countries, including heads of state, international institutions, investors, and private sector experts. The forum will feature thematic panels, strategic keynotes, agreement signings, and B2B, B2G, and G2G meetings. Expected outcomes include job creation, increased visibility for reforms, the drafting of a "Libreville Declaration," and a report outlining short, medium, and long-term actions to improve the business climate and living conditions. Nina Alida Abouna emphasized that the forum is an engagement to open a new chapter of deman