• Partnership targets priority projects, startup support and skills training

• Deal aligns with push to diversify economy through digitalisation

Gabon’s government said on Monday, Dec. 29, it had signed a memorandum of understanding with Chinese technology firm Huawei to work together on key elements of the country’s digital transformation.

The agreement follows a meeting about a month ago between President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and a Huawei delegation. It sets up a joint committee to identify and oversee priority digital projects, the government said.

The partnership also seeks to involve Gabonese startups and companies to strengthen the country’s digital ecosystem and support local innovation, according to a statement from the digital economy ministry. Another focus is training and capacity building to develop national expertise and reduce reliance on foreign technology.

From 2026, the projects are expected to support initiatives led by Gabonese startups, contributing to the development of a more modern and innovation-driven economy, Digital Economy Minister Mark-Alexandre Doumba said in the statement.

The agreement comes as Gabon steps up the use of public-private partnerships to speed up its digital transition. Since the start of the year, the government has held talks with several private sector players, including Tech 41, Visa, Moov Africa Gabon Telecom, Airtel, Afrastructure SAS, Cisco, Moro and Cybastion.

Libreville is also seeking closer international cooperation. During a visit to Morocco in early December, Doumba said Gabon wanted to draw on the kingdom’s experience in digitalisation, artificial intelligence and digital skills development. Gabon has also strengthened ties this year with countries including Turkey, Botswana, France and Saudi Arabia.

The government aims to make digital technology a core driver of socio-economic development and to reduce its dependence on extractive industries. In September, it adopted a legal framework to guide and accelerate the digitalisation of public administration. In November, it launched KIMBA, a platform that allows large companies to outline their digital needs while local startups propose software, tools and services.

Gabon ranks 121st out of 193 countries in the United Nations E-Government Development Index, with an overall score of 0.5741. The country performs relatively well in telecoms infrastructure, with a score of 0.8263, but lags behind in online services (0.3188) and human capital (0.5772).

Isaac K. Kassouwi