Gabon Launches Legal Framework to Accelerate Digital Public Services

The President of the Gabonese Republic, His Excellency Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, has extended a landmark ordinance on digitalization, published in Official Gazette No. 81 from September 1 to 7, 2025. The decree underscores the government’s commitment to accelerating the country’s digital transition and strengthening state digital governance.

The ordinance establishes key objectives, principles, measures, and obligations guiding public and private action in the digital sphere. Among its goals are improving the efficiency, performance, and transparency of public administration; combating corruption through traceable administrative processes; stimulating economic growth and job creation; ensuring universal access to digital services; and guaranteeing the security and interoperability of information systems.

The legal framework is built on four fundamental principles: universality, ensuring equitable access to digital technologies; interoperability, promoting seamless communication between systems and platforms; security, safeguarding data and system integrity; and digital inclusion, reducing the digital divide and protecting vulnerable populations.

In addition, the framework emphasizes the participation of the national private sector in designing, hosting, and maintaining digital systems. A principle of national preference in awarding public contracts related to digitalization aims to strengthen local capabilities and foster economic patriotism.

This initiative reflects the Head of State’s strategic vision of a sovereign, digitally empowered Gabon, capable of delivering high-performing public services while supporting an innovative and competitive economy. The government, led by the Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization and Innovation under Mr. Mark Alexandre Ngoumba, reaffirmed its commitment to implementing the framework in collaboration with other ministries, the private sector, and technical and financial partners.