en.Wedoany.com Reported - Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, recently unveiled a strategy to place digital technology at the core of the country's economic development, allocating 82 billion Central African CFA francs (approximately $133 million) from the 2026 budget, aimed at enhancing economic competitiveness and sovereignty through investment.
In an article published in the French-language magazine Économies Africaines, Doumba outlined Gabon's plan to establish the digital sector as a core pillar for economic diversification and job creation. The country's 2025-2030 Digital Development Plan aligns closely with the national development framework and international commitments, including cooperation with the International Telecommunication Union (ITU). The plan advances around four priorities: expanding digital infrastructure, accelerating the digitalization of public services, strengthening the cybersecurity system, and building an innovation ecosystem that supports entrepreneurship and private sector growth. The Minister stated that the allocation of 82 billion CFA francs will be used to expand digital infrastructure, modernize public administration systems, and deploy digital platforms aimed at enhancing efficiency, transparency, and service delivery quality for government institutions and the overall economy.
Regarding specific initiatives, Doumba highlighted the "GIMAC" project and the "Magadipe" digital platform, which aim to improve financial inclusion, enable secure digital payments, and expand access to modern financial services for underserved populations and small and medium-sized enterprises. The Minister also noted that Gabon is increasingly integrating into global digital governance discussions through its participation in ITU-related structures, part of a broader effort to establish a credible voice in international technology policy debates. International cooperation and technology partnerships are considered key factors in capacity building, knowledge transfer, and accelerating innovation.
Gabon's digital progress builds on earlier reforms, including expanding e-government services and financial inclusion projects to improve access to digital payments. However, the country's internet penetration rate remains below 60%, highlighting the infrastructure gaps that the new investments aim to address. According to United Nations data, Gabon's population was 2.6 million as of October 2025.
The Gabonese government stated that digital transformation is not only an economic reform agenda but also a strategic tool to enhance sovereignty, boost competitiveness, and ensure sustainable development. Officials said the sustained investment demonstrates the country's commitment to building a resilient digital economy capable of supporting long-term growth and integration into the global digital landscape.
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