Libreville, July 14, 2026 (Infos Gabon) – In a bid to bridge the gap between innovation and industry needs, the Gabonese government has launched Kimba Connect, its first national open innovation challenge.
The initiative, launched on Wednesday at Libreville’s Ministry of Economy, Digitalization, and Innovation, aims to bring together startups and large corporations to collaborate on real-world problems.
Mark-Alexandre Doumba, the Minister of Economy, said that innovation must respond to concrete economic needs. ‘Only when an innovation solves a specific problem can it have a lasting impact,’ he added.
The challenge will focus on various sectors such as logistics, industry optimization, financial services, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity, automation, and digital agriculture, among others.
“We want to empower local startups and create a strong ecosystem of innovation,” said the Minister. “This challenge is an important step towards achieving our economic development goals.”
The government hopes that Kimba Connect will not only attract investments but also foster long-term partnerships between businesses and startups, ultimately boosting the Gabonese economy.
“We are confident that this initiative will lead to a new model of innovation in our country,” said Doumba. “By working together, we can create solutions that benefit both the business community and society as a whole.”
The challenge is open to startups from across the country, with the aim of identifying innovative solutions to real-world problems.
Kimba Connect is part of the Gabonese government’s broader strategy to diversify its economy, which has historically relied heavily on oil and gas exports.
The event brought together business leaders, policymakers, and innovation experts to discuss the challenges and opportunities facing the country’s economic development.
By empowering local startups and creating a strong ecosystem of innovation, Kimba Connect aims to contribute to the Gabonese government’s ambitious goal of becoming a major player in Africa’s economy.
The future success of Kimba Connect will depend on its ability to generate sustainable partnerships between businesses and startups.
