🇬🇦
Source · Gabon
Gabon Review
50 articles published on Baobab Pulse
🇬🇦Gabon Review·13 hours ago
Gabon places three companies among future candidates for CEMAC stock exchange listing
The Financial Institutions Reform Management Unit UGRIF of the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CEMAC announced on July 10 the results of its call for expressions of interest, launched in March, as part of the Project to Strengthen the Capacities of Regional Financial Institutions. Three Gabonese companies, Samb'a Assurances, Gabon Power Company GPC, and Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal FMCT, are among the four selected to receive support for their introduction to the Central African Securities Exchange BVMAC. The fourth company is Cameroon Hotel Corporation from Cameroon. This initiative aims to boost the regional financial market by increasing the number of listed companies and encouraging the use of capital market financing. The selection process involved opening and analyzing applications received on April 30, 2026. The project, co-financed by the Bank of Central African States BEAC, the BVMAC, the Central African Financial Market Supervisory Commission Cosumaf, and the African Development Bank AfDB, seeks to remove the significant barrier of high initial public offering costs for candidate companies. Samb'a Assurances is recognized for its digital micro-insurance for informal sector workers and low-income populations. Gabon Power Company, a subsidiary of the Gabonese Strategic Investment Fund FGIS, is developing a portfolio of energy projects, aiming to mobilize 40 to 50 billion CFA francs on the regional market. Façade Maritime Champ Triomphal, also back
5 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·13 hours ago
Gabon higher education audit reveals over 1 billion FCFA discrepancy, government refers case to justice
Gabon's Minister of Higher Education, Professor Charles Edgard Mombo, announced on July 13, 2026, the findings of an audit into payments for temporary teaching assignments in public higher education institutions. The audit, conducted by the Ministry of Economy and Finance under instructions from President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, revealed a discrepancy of over 1 billion FCFA. While the twelve public higher education institutions declared a debt of 3.488 billion FCFA, only 2.428 billion FCFA were deemed compliant after verification. The audit examined beneficiaries, actual hours worked, and the conformity of rates for nearly 5,700 faculty and staff. The government confirmed that payments for compliant assignments would continue and that the audit report would be sent to the Ministry of Justice to establish accountability for the irregularities. Regarding the University of Science and Technology of Masuku USTM, where faculty are currently on strike, Professor Mombo stated that a first payment of over 700 million FCFA has been made available from the Treasury towards a total debt of 1.206 billion FCFA. The government is also revising a decree from March 7, 2023, to standardize hourly rates and eliminate disparities among institutions, aiming to restore credibility to Gabon's higher education system through rigorous management of public resources.
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Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·13 hours ago
Gabon's social media ban: civil society groups demand immediate lifting, citing constitutional violations and increased cybercrime
Six civil society organizations in Gabon, led by Patrice Thérence Mezui, are demanding the immediate lifting of the social media suspension, which has been in effect for five months. They argue that the decision by the High Authority of Communication HAC is unconstitutional, disproportionate, and an abuse of power. The groups, including the Network of Free Civil Society Organizations for Good Governance in Gabon ROLBG and SOS Prisoners, met on July 11 in Libreville to denounce the ban, which was implemented to combat "informational disorders, cyberbullying, and the dissemination of hateful content." The organizations contend that while they share the goals of a healthy digital space, the repressive method used has punished millions of citizens, small and medium-sized enterprises, startups, and informal sector actors who rely on these digital channels for their daily economic activities. They highlight that the ban has inadvertently led to a surge in cyberattacks and account hacking, as citizens resort to Virtual Private Networks VPNs to bypass restrictions, creating significant digital security vulnerabilities. Patrice Thérence Mezui warned that this widespread vulnerability could impact state systems, banking institutions, and other vital sectors. Legally, the groups cite Article 14 of the Constitution, Article 19 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, the International Covenant on Civil and Political Rights, and Article 9 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples'
4 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·17 hours ago
Libreville poised to become Central Africa's sub-regional hub for UN-Habitat
Libreville, Gabon, is set to host a sub-regional office for UN-Habitat, aiming to become a central hub for sustainable urbanization in Central Africa. This development follows a meeting on July 12 between Gabon's Vice-President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, and Oumar Sylla, UN-Habitat's Regional Director for Africa. The discussion, which also included the Minister of Housing and Accommodation, Mays Mouissi, focused on establishing the sub-regional office in the Gabonese capital. This initiative is expected to enhance Gabon's diplomatic influence and its position as a regional center for multilateral cooperation. Gabonese authorities view Libreville's selection as strategic, citing the country's institutional stability, social cohesion, and ongoing political transition as factors that supported its candidacy. The new office will provide technical and institutional support to Gabon in urban planning, territorial development, climate change mitigation, and the improvement of informal settlements. Oumar Sylla emphasized UN-Habitat's commitment to supporting Gabon's sustainable development goals, leveraging its expertise from over 35 African countries. This cooperation is particularly significant given Gabon's housing deficit, estimated at nearly 200,000 decent homes, and aligns with the government's National Plan for Growth and Development PNCD. The establishment of this sub-regional office is anticipated to accelerate housing programs and urban growth, solidifying Libre
5 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·17 hours ago
Gabon and TikTok discuss content moderation and digital platform governance, 4,352 accounts suspended
Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, and TikTok regional officials met in Geneva to discuss digital platform governance. This meeting follows the suspension of social media in Gabon in February 2026. TikTok reported removing 23,504 sensitive content items in the first quarter of 2026, including 13,930 related to the safety and well-being of minors and 10,784 concerning regulated goods, services, and activities. The platform also stated that 17,225 items of sexualized content and 12,883 related to sexual or physical abuse of minors were removed. TikTok claims 99.8% of infringing content was removed before user reports, and 92.9% before being viewed. Additionally, 97.2% of removals occurred within 48 hours, and 4,352 accounts were permanently suspended. Both parties agreed to continue their close collaboration for 12 months to ensure TikTok's compliance with new Gabonese legal provisions. The discussions also addressed mental health protection for youth, disinformation, cyberbullying, and hate speech.
3 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·19 hours ago
Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema tours Woleu-Ntem, focusing on infrastructure and development projects
President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema spent a night in Minvoul, a first for a sitting president since independence, as he began the second day of his tour in Woleu-Ntem on July 10, 2026. His visit focused on inspecting road, health, and educational construction sites and launching new projects, including the Oyem agricultural complex. The President's tour aimed to accelerate provincial development, starting with the strategic road connecting Gabon to Cameroon, which is vital for sub-regional integration and trade. In Minvoul, he inspected the future hospital and a service station. In Oyem, the President officially launched an agricultural complex project and the training of 30 young Gabonese, with a goal to train 240 in agricultural professions to boost employment and food sovereignty. He also inspected the 17-kilometer, 2x2 lane Oyem road project and the future municipal market of Gouéma. The tour continued with a decision to rehabilitate the state-owned Mvett Palace hotel, with work scheduled to begin by the end of July. He also visited an agro-fishery operation and the Manfred Mendame Ndong complex training center for pre-primary and primary teachers, before symbolically handing over keys to housing for village chiefs. The day concluded at the future Nkum Yenguï sports complex site and the modern high school, which features a boarding school, scientific laboratories, and a computer room. These initiatives underscore President Nguema's commitment to making infrastructure,
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🇬🇦Gabon Review·21 hours ago
Gabon's Ministry of Agriculture holds strategic retreat to accelerate reforms for food sovereignty
The Ministry of Agriculture, Livestock and Rural Development MAEDR in Gabon held a strategic retreat in Libreville on July 11 and 12, 2026, led by Minister Pacôme Kossy. The retreat aimed to prepare for the "acceleration phase of reforms" in line with the directives of President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema. Key discussions included validating the major orientations of the Agri-Food Systems Transformation Plan PTSA 2026-2030, adopting a Performance Pact, and establishing measurable commitments for each manager. The two-day session involved ministerial cabinet members, general secretaries, general inspectors, general directors, provincial directors, and heads of supervised establishments. They focused on governance, modernization of plant and animal production, financing, investments, and institutional reforms. The ministry highlighted achievements from the first hundred days, such as the operationalization of the Emergency Plan for the Poultry Sector POUFA, mobilization of private investments, support for national producers, and the development of the PTSA 2026-2030. The retreat is expected to lead to internal accountability tools, including a MAEDR management performance pact, measurable commitments for each manager, and a dashboard for rigorous results monitoring. The ministry aims to build an administration focused on performance, accountability, and results to make agriculture a driver of wealth creation and sustainable employment, despite the significant annual food impo
4 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·21 hours ago
Gabon's RNDH 2026 report identifies key reasons for youth unemployment
Gabon's National Report on Human Development RNDH 2026 attributes high youth unemployment to three interconnected issues: an education system disconnected from the job market, an economy too narrow to absorb its young workforce, and ineffective institutional support. The report highlights a chronic mismatch between training and employment, with the educational system producing general studies graduates while the productive sector demands skilled tradespeople like welders and maintenance technicians. This leads to graduates accepting lower-skilled jobs, causing professional downgrading and socio-economic frustration. Structurally, the economy's reliance on raw materials makes it vulnerable to global price fluctuations, leading to budget crises, austerity, and private sector contraction, which exacerbates unemployment. Rural exodus further intensifies the crisis by saturating urban job markets, where the informal sector provides precarious employment. Additionally, the concentration of economic activity in the Estuaire province leaves youth in other regions with limited options. Institutional shortcomings include administrative burdens that deter private investment, weak enforcement of labor laws, and an outdated employment information system. The report notes that employment policies have long been implemented without reliable data or job mapping, and follow-up on support programs is insufficient, perpetuating cyclical precarity. Despite these challenges, the RNDH 2026 report
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Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·21 hours ago
Nyanga province faces over 77% poverty rate, according to National Human Development Report 2026
The National Human Development Report 2026 RNDH 2026 reveals that over 77% of the population in Gabon's Nyanga province lives below the poverty line. This figure, found on page 19 of the 219-page report, highlights a stark contrast with Gabon's national classification as a country with "high human development" and its position as the first in Central Africa for the Human Development Index HDI. Nationally, poverty affects 33.4% of the population, with 8.2% experiencing extreme poverty, according to the Gabonese Survey for Poverty Assessment and Monitoring EGEP II. In Nyanga, the proportion of people unable to meet their basic needs is more than double the national average. The report attributes this disparity to the hyper-concentration of economic activity, businesses, and skilled jobs in the Estuaire province, which draws qualified job seekers and limits access to advanced healthcare in other regions. This leads to a rural exodus, described as a "double crisis multiplier," depleting provinces of their productive potential while saturating Libreville. Nyanga, being far from the main economic hub and having only one technical institution, the Tchibanga technical high school, sees its youth leave and poverty deepen. Despite this, the report identifies Nyanga as part of the "South-West growth pole" with potential in agriculture, livestock, fishing, and tourism, noting a "critical shortage" of specialized profiles. The document recommends territorializing employment policies, prov
2 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Kakaomundo partners with Canadian foundation to improve nutrition for Gabonese children
Gabonese company Kakaomundo, celebrating its sixth anniversary, has announced a partnership with Canada's Fondation Nutrition Carambole. This collaboration aims to combat nutritional deficiencies in children by developing enriched products, while also promoting local cocoa and raw materials. Founded in 2018 and specializing in cocoa processing under the Bantoo Chocolate brand, Kakaomundo's co-founders, Jonathan and Sébastien Ayimambenwe, formalized the partnership on July 8 in Libreville. The collaboration has led to Bantoo Star, a new line of products fortified with protein, iron, vitamins, and minerals, designed to address growth delays and nutritional deficiencies in Gabonese children. Jonathan Ayimambenwe emphasized that malnutrition is a significant public health issue and highlighted the importance of offering products that promote better child growth, especially when made from local raw materials. Canadian nutritionist Claudia Lemay, head of Fondation Nutrition Carambole, is leading the scientific aspect of the project, working with teams in Great Britain to incorporate vitamins and minerals into the product to prevent dietary deficiencies like anemia. Kakaomundo is also expanding internationally, participating in global exhibitions with support from institutional partners, while prioritizing its presence in the national market. The company aims to make Gabon an African leader in locally processed premium cocoa, believing in more local transformation, traceability, inn
2 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Gabon's economic paradox: translating statistical wealth into shared prosperity
Gabon consistently ranks high in Central African economic indicators, boasting a high GDP per capita, significant urbanization, digital connectivity, forest protection, and literacy rates. However, this statistical wealth does not always translate into a noticeable improvement in the living conditions for the entire population. Dr. Emmanuel Thierry Koumba, a lecturer at Omar-Bongo University UOB and EM-Gabon University, argues that Gabon needs a profound transformation of its national development model. He suggests that only an economy focused more on production, innovation, human capital, and effective governance can convert the country's riches into sustainable and shared prosperity. The current economic model, heavily reliant on raw material exports, has reached its structural limits. Dr. Koumba advocates for a shift towards a production and transformation economy, including local processing industries for wood and manganese, development of the iron and steel industry, modern agriculture, and an innovative tertiary sector. He emphasizes that human capital development, through educational reforms, alignment of training with the job market, and vocational training, is crucial. Digitalization of public administration, technological startups, and economic diversification are also highlighted as accelerators for transformation. Ultimately, improved governance, characterized by efficient institutions, transparent administration, and rigorous public finance management, is deemed
4 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Gabon's provisional census results presented to President Oligui Nguema for constitutional court validation
On July 8, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema received the provisional results of Gabon's General Population and Housing Census RGPL from Louise Pierrette Mvono, the Minister of Planning and Prospective. The census, which achieved a national coverage rate of 97%, confirmed a high demographic concentration in the Estuaire province, which accounts for nearly 60% of the population, followed by Haut-Ogooué and Ogooué-Maritime. The presidency stated that the census represents a significant step in producing reliable statistical data essential for effective public policy planning. The provisional results have been forwarded to the Vice-President of the Government for submission to the Constitutional Court, the sole body authorized to validate and officially proclaim them. This edition of the RGPL utilized digital tools, including geolocation for enumerators and paperless data collection, which enhanced coverage, transparency, and data processing speed. Following the presentation, President Oligui Nguema instructed the immediate preparation for a census of economically and socially vulnerable Gabonese citizens, to be conducted in collaboration with the Ministry of Social Affairs and the National Health Insurance and Social Guarantee Fund CNAMGS, under the coordination of the Vice-President of the Government. This initiative aims to precisely identify vulnerable households to better target social protection measures and ensure public policies primarily benefit those most exposed
5 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
First resident UAE ambassador assumes duties in Gabon, strengthening bilateral ties
On Wednesday, July 8, 2026, President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema received the credentials of three new ambassadors accredited to Gabon. Among them, Joasim Mohamed Mubarak Alqasimi became the first resident ambassador of the United Arab Emirates UAE in Libreville, marking a significant step in the relations between the two nations. Previously, the UAE was represented by a non-resident ambassador based in Luanda, Angola. This new permanent diplomatic mission in the Gabonese capital signifies a strengthening of bilateral ties and a mutual desire to deepen cooperation in strategic sectors such as investment, infrastructure, logistics, advanced technologies, and industrial transformation. The UAE is already a key economic partner for Gabon in several development projects. Additionally, President Oligui Nguema received credentials from Saïd Juma Msjana, the ambassador of Tanzania, and Léo Trembley, the ambassador of Switzerland. Tanzania's accreditation opens new avenues for South-South cooperation, focusing on intra-African trade, regional integration, agriculture, transport, and security. Switzerland, a long-standing partner, will continue its support in governance, finance, innovation, training, environmental protection, and sustainable development. The simultaneous accreditation of these three ambassadors reflects Gabon's growing appeal to diverse partners and its strategy to diversify its foreign relations. Gabonese authorities view diplomacy as a tool for economic developme
5 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Canton Océan residents in Gabon decry neglect by oil companies and government
Residents of Mpembé and Gongoué villages in Gabon's Canton Océan, ancestral land of the Orungu people, claim abandonment by oil companies and the government, facing human-wildlife conflict and the erosion of their collective memory. A collective representing these communities has issued an alert, detailing their decade-long struggle for recognition and resolution of their grievances. Their demands include strict adherence to the mining code, employment opportunities for local youth in oil-producing areas, effective management of the reserve where they reside, solutions to human-wildlife conflicts, clarification of the Mpembé chieftaincy, and a commemorative act for anti-colonial resistant Ogoula Iquaqua. The collective, led by Wilfried Iquaqua Nkowet, states they are "left to fend for ourselves," describing their territory within one of the country's largest reserves as unmanaged, exposed to climate change effects, and human-wildlife conflict. They had supported President Oligui, hoping for solutions to these issues. Their administrative and commercial efforts span from 2017 to late 2024. In September 2017, Addax Petroleum declined a partnership offer for a local company to employ youth, citing the lack of a legal structure. In April 2024, the collective invited the Gabon Oil Company GOC Director General to witness their daily realities, emphasizing their request for "strict adherence to the mining code" and "republican principles and values," an invitation they say went unan
3 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Gabon opens first consular representation in Chad with Alia Maganga-Moussavou
Gabon has officially opened its first consular representation in Chad, with Alia Maëva Bongo Ondimba épouse Maganga-Moussavou assuming her duties as Consul General on July 8, 2026, in N'Djamena. She was appointed to the role in late April. The new Consul General was received by Chadian authorities, including the Minister of State for Foreign Affairs, African Integration, and Chadians Abroad, Dr. Abdoulaye Sabre Fadoul, to complete diplomatic formalities. This establishment signifies the commitment of both states to strengthen bilateral cooperation and sub-regional integration within the CEMAC. Maganga-Moussavou expressed her deep emotion and sense of responsibility, stating that her mission will focus on assisting and protecting Gabonese nationals living in Chad. She views the new consulate as an instrument for cooperation between Libreville and N'Djamena, reflecting the desire of both Gabonese and Chadian authorities to boost exchanges, consolidate bilateral cooperation, and promote stronger sub-regional integration within the Economic and Monetary Community of Central Africa CEMAC.
2 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Oligui Nguema establishes monthly cabinet council to boost state revenue in Gabon
Gabon's President, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, chaired a cabinet council on July 8 in Libreville, bringing together directors-general of financial regulatory bodies. The meeting focused on a comprehensive audit of tax and customs exemptions, digitalization of administrations, and a debt sustainability strategy. This council is set to become a monthly event. The President instructed a full audit of exemptions to identify those that are still justified and those that, having expired, continue to deprive the state of substantial resources. He also emphasized the strategic importance of digitalization and interconnection of financial administrations to improve collection performance, enhance transparency, and increase public sector efficiency. Furthermore, he directed the implementation of a rigorous debt sustainability strategy to consolidate Gabon's financial credibility with partners and funders. This monthly meeting will assess revenue mobilization, budget execution, and public debt management. This close monitoring approach will gradually extend to other priority sectors such as health, education, public works, water, and energy. The presidency stated that these measures aim to increase investments in education, health, road infrastructure, and access to drinking water, electricity, and basic public services, ensuring that every mobilized resource contributes to improving citizens' living conditions.
2 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·4 days ago
Former Tourism Minister Pascal Ogowé Siffon granted conditional provisional release in Gabon
Pascal Ogowé Siffon, former Minister of Tourism and Handicrafts, has been granted conditional provisional release after six and a half months in Libreville Central Prison. He was imprisoned on December 25, 2025, and is being prosecuted for alleged embezzlement of public funds totaling over 10 billion CFA francs. This provisional release also extends to his collaborators who were incarcerated in connection with the same case, including Christian Johnson Ogoula, his chief of staff. His lawyers, Me Jean Paul Moubembé, Me Jules Obiang, and Me Herbert Mbovia, confirmed the conditional release. The provisional release does not signify an abandonment of the prosecution or a judicial acquittal; the judicial investigation is ongoing. The term "conditional" implies obligations such as bail, surrender of passport, prohibition from leaving the territory, periodic reporting to judicial authorities, or a ban on contacting other defendants. Failure to comply with these conditions could lead to the revocation of the measure and a return to prison. His incarceration had previously led his defense to denounce constitutional and procedural violations, including an infringement of his parliamentary immunity as a newly elected senator at the time of his arrest.
2 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
ECCAS strengthens legal framework in Libreville ahead of Heads of State Conference
The 5th Ordinary Session of the Economic Community of Central African States ECCAS Specialized Technical Committee on Justice and Legal Affairs concluded in Libreville on July 7, 2026. The session finalized the report of the Council of Ministers of Justice, which will be presented to the upcoming Conference of Heads of State and Government for review. The objective of the session was to harmonize the community's legal framework to support institutional reforms and strengthen governance mechanisms within the community. Gabon's Minister of Justice, Keeper of the Seals, in charge of Human Rights, Augustin Émane, praised the quality of discussions and the consensus reached. He highlighted that the adopted resolutions aim to build a modern, coherent, and effective community legal order to support ECCAS reforms and promote transparent governance. Participants reviewed and amended six decisions, including the organization of the Central African Regional Maritime Security Center, the protocol on the integrated border governance strategy, and ECCAS's humanitarian policy. Other approvals included the internal regulations of the Central African Regional Electricity Regulatory Commission, provisions for health in Central Africa, and the functioning of the multinational coordination centers for zones A and D. Participants emphasized the need to translate these conclusions into concrete actions to enhance the effectiveness of sub-regional institutions, consolidate the rule of law, foster j
3 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
Gabon government clarifies new international traveler tax, promises review of existing levies
The Gabonese government has addressed concerns regarding a new tax for international travelers, stating it is solely to fund an air border security system compliant with international standards. The Minister of State, Minister of Transport, Merchant Marine, in charge of Logistics, Ulrich Manfoumbi Manfoumbi, explained that this measure stems from an agreement signed on May 21 with SECURIPORT LLC for the deployment of the API-PNR system. This system will finance the collection and early analysis of passenger data, aligning with International Civil Aviation Organization ICAO recommendations. The government emphasizes that this contribution aims to strengthen air border control and combat transnational crime, drug trafficking, and terrorism, and applies exclusively to international flights. Concurrently, authorities announced an audit of existing levies to eliminate those without added value, preventing an increase in air ticket prices. This dual approach seeks to balance enhanced air security with maintaining travelers' purchasing power, in line with President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's vision for a civil aviation system meeting international safety and border control standards.
4 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
Gabonese delegation participates in 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie in Yaoundé
A Gabonese delegation, led by National Assembly President Michel Régis Onanga M. Ndiaye, is actively participating in the 51st Session of the Parliamentary Assembly of La Francophonie APF in Yaoundé, Cameroon, from July 7 to 12. This international event brings together 300 to 400 parliamentarians from 42 sections. The session's central theme is "Multilateralism and State Sovereignty," with a particular focus on "peace as a vector for sustainable development for La Francophonie." The session aims to reconcile international cooperation with the affirmation of national sovereignties in a changing world. Parliamentarians will explore responses to political crises, democratic challenges, and economic, social, and environmental changes within the Francophone space. Discussions will cover topics such as the situation in Haiti, national reconciliation processes, ethics in the face of disinformation and artificial intelligence, climate-resilient agriculture, plastic pollution eradication, digital-era education, and combating disinformation. Specialized networks, including those for women and young parliamentarians, will address issues like "Women, Peace and Security," women's economic empowerment, and youth mobility and employability. The active participation of the Gabonese delegation, comprising deputies, senators, and parliamentary administration members, underscores the country's commitment to parliamentary diplomacy in Africa, contributing to common resolutions and the promotion
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Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
Libreville Staff College graduates 60 officers from 11 African countries to enhance regional security
The Libreville Staff College EEML recently celebrated the graduation of its 34th class, comprising 60 officers from 11 African nations. The ceremony, held on Wednesday, July 8, 2026, marked the culmination of 43 weeks of intensive training. The graduating class was sponsored by the Vice-President of the Government, Hermann Immongault, and included, for the first time, an officer from the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, along with five female officers from Gabon, Benin, and Madagascar. The curriculum combined theoretical instruction, operational planning, and field exercises, including immersion at the Gabonese Defense Forces Combat Training Center CEC-FOGA in Malibé. Graduates also earned a professional Master's degree in partnership with Omar Bongo University. Since its establishment 24 years ago, the EEML has trained over 1,590 African officers, fostering military cooperation between Gabon and France and strengthening Africa's defense capabilities. Dignitaries present, including the Ambassador, High Representative of the French Republic, and the Minister of State, Minister of National Defense, Brigitte Onkanowa, emphasized the importance of this training for addressing continental security challenges and promoting a common strategic culture. Vice-President Immongault highlighted the critical link between a strong defense and economic development, urging the graduates to embody the spirit of cooperation forged at Libreville as ambassadors of collective security in A
5 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
Paris judicial court dismisses E-Doley Finance claims against BGFIBank, orders fintech to pay damages
The Paris Judicial Court, in a judgment delivered on June 25, 2026, rejected all claims made by E-Doley Finance against BGFI Holding Corporation and BGFIBank Gabon. The court also condemned the Gabonese company for abusive litigation. BGFIBank group announced this decision in a press release on July 6. The Parisian court addressed the intellectual property aspect of the dispute, where E-Doley Finance and its manager, Ernest Akendengue Tewelyo, accused the banking group of unauthorized use of its mobile payment and money transfer technology. The court did not uphold these accusations. The court dismissed E-Doley Finance's requests concerning its expert appraisal demand, software counterfeiting, and parasitic practices. The judgment further deemed E-Doley Finance's action as abusive, ordering the company to pay 8,000 euros each to BGFI Holding Corporation and BGFIBank Gabon in damages for the prejudice caused by the abusive legal action. Additionally, E-Doley Finance must cover procedural costs amounting to 25,000 euros for each of the two companies, along with other legal expenses. In total, E-Doley Finance is ordered to pay 66,000 euros. This decision, subject to appeal, concludes a procedure initiated in Paris in 2018. While the Paris Court of Appeal had previously referred the software counterfeiting claim to the Paris Judicial Court, it ruled that the alleged breach of commercial relations fell under Gabonese jurisdiction. The dispute's commercial aspect, regarding an alle
3 min read
Must Read🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
Ensemble Pour le Gabon raises concerns over Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze's 83-day detention without substantive hearing
Ensemble Pour le Gabon EPG has issued a statement highlighting the ongoing detention of its president, Alain-Claude Bilie-By-Nze, who has been held for 83 days without a substantive hearing. The party expresses concern that his detention may extend through the judicial holiday period and views it as the "neutralization of a political opponent." EPG notes that despite appeals from the defense, the legal process has not advanced, and Bilie-By-Nze has not been questioned on the merits of the accusations against him. The party states that no real investigation appears to have been conducted to establish the truth, suggesting the outcome of the case may be predetermined. A cassation appeal is pending before the Court of Cassation, but no date has been set for a decision, leading to fears of prolonged detention during July and August. EPG recalls that following the regime change on August 30, 2023, no wrongdoing, embezzlement, or illicit enrichment was attributed to Bilie-By-Nze, despite his past roles as former Prime Minister and head of several ministerial departments. The party interprets his continued detention without judgment as a political move rather than a pursuit of truth, aimed at neutralizing an opponent whose stances are perceived as disruptive at the highest levels of government. EPG affirms its commitment to relentlessly pursue legal avenues and engage with international partners and bodies to address what it calls an injustice, vowing to defend its president's right
2 min read
🇬🇦Gabon Review·5 days ago
Georges Damas Aléka monument controversy highlights public procurement practices in Gabon
The controversy surrounding the construction of the Georges Damas Aléka monument, particularly involving architect Erick Mauro Nguémah, has brought to light issues within Gabon's public procurement system. Following a formal notice from the President of the Republic regarding construction delays, public opinion initially focused on Nguémah. However, revelations from a memorandum by the Gabonese Order of Architects OGA suggest a more complex situation, pointing to potential unorthodox practices in public projects. The OGA document, attributed to a former president of the organization, indicates a reduced initial budget, shortened execution deadlines, requested modifications during construction, and delays in fund disbursement. It also describes Nguémah as the leader of a consortium comprising his firm, nine specialized companies, and seven control offices. These details suggest that the project's difficulties may not solely be the architect's responsibility. The article emphasizes that contracts are not static and that changes in design, schedule, or financing should lead to contractual adjustments, such as amendments. The absence of such formal adjustments can blur the lines between non-execution and impossibility of execution, making it difficult to assign responsibility. It argues that responsibility in contracts is reciprocal, with both the client maître d'ouvrage and the contractor maître d'œuvre having obligations. The core issue, according to the article, is the opacity
3 min read