LIBREVILLE, Gabon: Gabon is accelerating the implementation of major digital transformation projects, including its national digital identity system and a national interoperability infrastructure designed to improve access to government services.
The government disclosed the plans during the sixth session of the steering committee overseeing the eGabon SIS project and the Gabon Digital initiative, chaired by Minister of Digital Economy, Digitalisation and Innovation Mark Alexandre Doumba in Libreville.
The government wants to move the projects beyond planning and into practical implementation as it seeks to modernise public administration, improve governance and strengthen the delivery of services to citizens.
Gabon Digital is a broader national digital transformation programme supported by the World Bank and launched by the government in November 2024. The programme is intended to modernise public administration, while eGabon SIS is focused on transforming the health sector through the development of a national health information architecture.
During the steering committee meeting, stakeholders reviewed progress on several projects and discussed measures to accelerate their implementation.
Alongside the digital identity and interoperability systems, the government is working on an upgraded internal messaging platform designed to make communication between public institutions more secure and efficient.
Another project concerns Gabon’s Single Master File system, which is intended to improve the management of the public service payroll.
The government is also investing in infrastructure to support its digital ambitions. During the summer, Gabon inaugurated its first Tier III certified national data centre, providing more resilient hosting capacity for digital government services.
The facility is expected to strengthen the hosting of secure public sector applications while reducing the country’s dependence on infrastructure located outside Gabon.
The new data centre is expected to play a role as Gabon expands its digital identity and interoperability platforms.
Doumba said a pilot phase for the digital public service management system is being considered, while the government plans to introduce the upgraded government messaging system before the end of 2026, according to state broadcaster Gabon24.
The steering committee found that progress had been made across the various projects, although stakeholders agreed that implementation needed to move faster to ensure the programmes become operational.
Gabon’s digital identity programme is already underway. The country launched a new generation national digital ID system in July 2024, with the government positioning it as a key component of its wider digital transformation strategy.
The system is expected to provide an important foundation for the development of digital public services and improve the way government institutions identify and serve citizens.
Gabon’s plans form part of a broader push across Africa to develop digital public infrastructure that can support government services and improve interactions between citizens and public institutions.
Neighbouring Cameroon has also been examining the development of national interoperability infrastructure. Stakeholders recently discussed the issue during the country’s National Internet Governance Forum, where proposals were made for improving access to digital government services through interconnected public systems.
Gabon is also seeking international partnerships and expertise to advance its digital agenda.
The country recently sent a delegation to Rwanda to exchange experiences on digital government and examine approaches that could support Gabon’s own transformation programme.
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