• Gabonese tech association urges creation of a startup investment fund
• Proposals include integrating SMEs into public tenders and legal reform
• Measures aim to support innovation, job creation, and tech sovereignty

TECH 241, an association of Gabonese technology companies, has submitted ten proposals to the government to help structure and strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem. The initiative is part of a wider strategy to promote public-private collaboration in positioning digital technology as a driver of economic and social development.

The proposals were received last week by Mark Alexandre Doumba, Minister of the Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation. They cover key areas including financing, taxation, governance, education, infrastructure, and public procurement.

Among the most significant recommendations are the creation of an investment fund for local startups, the inclusion of tech SMEs in public tenders, and the development of a dedicated legal framework for digital businesses.

In the government’s “Gabon Digital” strategic document, authorities emphasize their goal of transforming the country’s economic and social model through innovation and entrepreneurship. “President of the Republic, Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, wants to use digital technology as an accelerator of productivity and a pillar of our economy,” said Minister Doumba.

TECH 241's proposals respond to challenges such as limited access to capital, the absence of a cohesive digital policy, and difficulties faced by startups in scaling their operations. The association aims to open a sustained dialogue with the government. If adopted, the measures could support innovation, generate skilled jobs, and reinforce Gabon’s digital sovereignty in Central Africa.