• Platform matches corporate needs with local tech solutions in real time
  
  
• Aims to boost national innovation, digital transition, and competitiveness
  

Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy launched the KIMBA platform on Friday, presenting it as an instrument for the digital transformation of businesses.

The platform is conceived as a space where large companies can express their needs for digital solutions and local startups can propose tools, software and other services.

It is structured around two interconnected spaces: one for large companies to detail their specific needs in management, production, distribution, cybersecurity or automation, and another for startups to submit their solutions, present demonstrations, explain their technologies and respond directly to requests.

This interconnection allows for immediate matching of a request with an available solution, the creation of contracts or pilot projects between established companies and startups, the circulation of information on local innovations, the gradual improvement of the competitiveness of Gabonese companies and the overall strengthening of the country's digital ecosystem, according to the authorities. By centralizing supply and demand, KIMBA is intended as a coordination tool that reduces the time between identifying a need and the appearance of a solution.

Gabonese authorities see it as an important instrument to support national innovation by fostering the emergence of locally developed solutions and a way to support companies in their digital transition. The platform will nevertheless face challenges, including technical reliability, constant adaptation to the needs of the digital market, and the capacity of startups to respond, particularly in terms of technical quality, delivery times and financial capacity. Good coordination between public and private actors will also be necessary to ensure regular monitoring of projects.

The ministry emphasizes that KIMBA is not only an online interface but an instrument for connecting and organizing digital players. Its objective is to structure Gabon's digital ecosystem and strengthen links between economic actors. Its launch marks a step in the modernization of practices and the implementation of tools designed to support businesses.

Chamberline MOKO