Gabon Postpones KIMBA Connect Finale Following Startup Concerns

Gabon’s Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalisation and Innovation has announced that it will postpone the final of the inaugural KIMBA Connect programme following concerns raised by participating startups over the organisation of the initiative.

In an official statement, the ministry acknowledged the concerns expressed by some startups regarding the first edition of KIMBA Connect and thanked all participants for their mobilisation and commitment to the programme.

The ministry described KIMBA Connect as a pioneering initiative in Gabon designed to strengthen collaboration between large enterprises and the country’s innovation ecosystem. It said the feedback received from startups demonstrates the level of interest in the programme and will be carefully reviewed as part of efforts to improve future editions.

According to the ministry, the observations submitted by participants will contribute to the evaluation of the inaugural edition under a continuous improvement approach. It reaffirmed its commitment to the principles of transparency, fairness, dialogue and co-creation that underpin the programme.

To ensure better organisation and broader stakeholder participation, the ministry announced that the date of the programme’s final will be adjusted. Revised arrangements and a new schedule will be communicated at a later date.

The ministry reiterated its commitment to working alongside Gabonese startups and partner companies to establish KIMBA Connect as a sustainable platform for fostering innovation, creating economic opportunities and accelerating Gabon’s digital transformation.