(Ecofin Agency) - Gabon and the World Bank are currently working at introducing ICT within in the health sector. The goal is to improve the performance of the National Health Information System (SNIS – Système National d’Information Sanitaire) by strengthening the human and financial resources, and by updating the equipment and infrastructure of the health facilities. The project will be implemented with the Ministry of Health, the National IT Infrastructure and Frequencies Agency (ANINF) and the National Health Insurance and Social Welfare Fund (CNAMGS).

According to Elisabeth Huybens, World Bank Director for Gabon, “this project will help to strengthen the epidemiologic monitoring system by using ICT to compile and spread the relevant data of early warnings and information reaction, on a continuous basis. On a wider scope, it will speed up the development of e-health, defined by the World Health Organisation (WHO) as the use of IT services to promote the well-being of individuals in the public and private sectors”.

Another project on which Gabon and the World Bank are working is the creation of an ICT generator in Libreville to give local Tech entrepreneurs an infrastructure where they can easily work on potential technological innovations suited for many sectors of the Gabonese economy.

This other project whose aim is to develop an innovating IT ecosystem in Gabon will be implemented with the Ministry of Digital Economy and Postal Services, in partnership with the private sector.

The global worth of the two projects which will promote socio-economic development in Gabon through ICT is of USD 56 million.