AGP Executive Report

Conservation: Gabon has signed its first official agreement with African Parks, aiming to strengthen management of Moukalaba-Doudou National Park and Wonga-Wongué Reserve through ecological surveys, better resources and action on human-wildlife conflict. Digital Policy: AU ministers and experts are meeting in Libreville to shape priorities for digital inclusion, AI, cybersecurity and connectivity. Gabon is hosting the gathering as it seeks a bigger role in continental digital cooperation. Rural Connectivity: The government is considering satellite internet to reach more than 200 villages still offline, though Starlink and other providers have not yet received approval. Online Access: Social media platforms have returned after an eight-month suspension. New rules on user identification, children’s access and moderation raise questions about balancing online safety with digital rights and livelihoods. Biodiversity Research: Botanists in Gabon discover an average of 10 plant species a year, as researchers work to catalogue a flora estimated at 7,000–10,000 species, around one-tenth of them threatened.

Africa’s Digital Agenda: AU ministers and officials are meeting in Libreville on Oct. 29–30 to shape policies on AI, cybersecurity, digital inclusion and connectivity. Gabon’s hosting agreement formalises its role in the continental talks. Connectivity: Gabon is exploring satellite internet, including Starlink and Eutelsat, to reach more than 200 villages still without internet; the plan is not yet an authorisation. Online Access: The country has restored Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram after an eight-month suspension. New rules on identification, children’s access and moderation will shape how platforms operate. Rainforest Research: Botanists in Libreville say their surveys uncover about 10 new plant species each year, helping document Gabon’s biodiversity and guide conservation.

Digital Future: African Union experts are meeting in Libreville to shape policies on digital inclusion, cybersecurity, innovation and AI ahead of ministerial talks on October 29–30. Gabon and the AU have signed an agreement formalising the country’s role as host. Rural Connectivity: Gabon is considering satellite internet services to reach more than 200 villages still offline, where building mobile towers may not be commercially viable. Online Access: The country has restored Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram after an eight-month suspension. New rules on identification, children’s access and content moderation accompany the reopening. Biodiversity Research: Gabonese botanists discover an average of 10 plant species a year, while researchers estimate about one-tenth of the country’s 7,000–10,000 known plant species are threatened. The work aims to document biodiversity and guide conservation.

Digital Policy: African Union experts are meeting in Libreville through Oct. 28 to shape recommendations on digital inclusion, AI, cybersecurity and connectivity ahead of ministerial talks on Oct. 29–30. Gabon and the AU have signed an agreement formalising the country’s hosting role. Online Access: Gabon has restored Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram after an eight-month suspension. New rules on user identification, children’s access and content moderation raise questions about digital rights and online safety. Rural Connectivity: Gabon is considering satellite providers such as Starlink and Eutelsat to reach more than 200 villages still without internet, including some with just a few dozen residents. Biodiversity Research: Botanists at Libreville’s Sibang garden discover about 10 plant species a year. Researchers say cataloguing Gabon’s poorly documented flora is vital to conservation, with roughly one in 10 known species believed threatened.

Digital Policy: Gabon and the African Union have formalised Libreville’s role as host of the AU’s ICT committee. Experts are meeting there to shape recommendations on digital inclusion, AI, cybersecurity and Africa’s place in global digital governance. Rural Connectivity: Gabon is considering satellite internet, including Starlink and Eutelsat, to reach more than 200 villages still offline. The proposal is not yet an authorisation. Online Access: The communications regulator has restored social media after an eight-month ban, following talks with technology companies on content moderation. Cybersecurity: An INTERPOL operation involving Gabon and 20 other countries arrested 1,462 suspects, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million. Biodiversity Research: Botanists at Libreville’s Sibang botanical garden discover about 10 plant species a year. They are cataloguing Gabon’s little-studied flora to support conservation; researchers estimate roughly one in 10 known plant species in the country is threatened.

Digital Future: African Union ICT ministers are meeting in Libreville through October 29 to discuss digital sovereignty, connectivity and Africa’s digital economy. Rural Connectivity: Gabon is considering satellite providers such as Starlink and Eutelsat to connect more than 200 villages still offline. The plan is not yet authorized, but could serve communities too small to justify mobile towers. Biodiversity Research: Botanists at Libreville’s Sibang garden are cataloguing Gabon’s understudied rainforest species to support conservation. Forest covers 88% of the country. Digital Access: Gabon has restored social media access after an eight-month ban. The regulator says the decision followed talks with technology companies on content moderation. Cybersecurity: Gabon joined INTERPOL’s 21-country Operation Serengeti III, which led to 1,462 arrests and disrupted 10,909 malicious networks. A Gabon investigation targeted an online vehicle-import scam.

Digital Access: Gabon has restored access to major social media platforms after an eight-month ban. The regulator says the move followed talks with technology companies on content moderation. Rural Connectivity: The government is considering satellite internet providers such as Starlink and Eutelsat to connect more than 200 offline villages. The plan is not yet an authorisation. Biodiversity Research: Botanists at Libreville’s Sibang botanical garden are documenting Gabon’s largely understudied plant life, aiming to better protect the forests that cover 88% of the country. Cybersecurity: Gabon took part in INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, which recorded 1,462 arrests across 21 countries and disrupted nearly 11,000 malicious networks. Gabonese authorities also targeted an online vehicle-import scam.

Digital Access: Gabon has restored WhatsApp, Facebook, TikTok, YouTube and Instagram after an eight-month blackout. The communications regulator said the decision followed talks with technology companies on content moderation. Digital Transformation: An African Union ministers’ meeting begins in Libreville today, running through October 29. Officials will discuss AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity, and ways to speed up Africa’s digital transformation. Cybersecurity: Gabon was among 20 African countries in INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, which resulted in 1,462 arrests, 10,909 disrupted malicious networks and more than $105 million recovered. A separate report said investigators disrupted an online vehicle scam in Gabon. Satellite Monitoring: Satellite analysis helped locate three unlicensed trawlers inside Gabon’s Grand Sud marine reserve, where industrial fishing is banned. The case shows how tracking technology can help authorities target illegal fishing. Offshore Exploration: ExxonMobil, Shell and BP are expected to finalize agreements for deepwater exploration offshore Gabon by year-end, opening a new frontier for the country’s oil and gas sector.

Digital Transformation: African Union ministers and experts meet in Libreville from Oct. 26 to 29 to advance the continent’s digital agenda, including AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity. Cybersecurity: Gabon joined 20 African countries and the United States in INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, which arrested 1,462 suspects, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million. The operation also targeted an online vehicle-import scam in Gabon. Mining Research: Drilling at Millennial Potash’s Banio project extended known potash mineralisation to about 120 metres, with samples now being prepared for analysis. Satellite Monitoring: Satellite analysis helped locate unlicensed trawlers inside Gabon’s Grand Sud marine reserve, showing how space-based tracking can support action against illegal fishing.

Digital Transformation: The African Union will bring ministers and technology experts to Libreville from October 26–29 to discuss AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity, with a focus on inclusion and Africa’s role in shaping global tech policy. Cybersecurity: Gabon joined 19 other African countries and the United States in INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, which arrested 1,462 suspects, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million. Marine Technology: Satellite analysis helped Gabonese patrols locate three unlicensed trawlers inside the protected Grand Sud Reserve, showing how remote monitoring can support action against illegal fishing. Mineral Exploration: Drilling at Millennial Potash’s Banio project added about 40 metres of mineralisation, bringing the estimated cumulative thickness to around 120 metres; the company says the find extends the known deposit westward.

Cybersecurity: Gabon joined 20 African countries and the US in INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, which arrested 1,462 suspects, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million. A separate investigation in Gabon targeted an online vehicle-import scam. Digital Transformation: African Union ministers and experts are due in Libreville from October 26 to 29 to review digital policy and advance work on AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity. Satellite Monitoring: Satellite analysis helped Gabonese authorities locate and intercept three unlicensed trawlers inside the Grand Sud marine reserve, where industrial fishing is banned. Biotech and Heritage: Gabon is seeking to protect a sacred ritual plant as US drug companies pursue its mind-altering properties, raising questions about research access and safeguarding local traditions.

Cybersecurity: INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III arrested 1,462 suspects and disrupted 10,909 malicious networks across 21 countries, including Gabon. Gabonese investigators also targeted an online vehicle-import scam. Digital Policy: African Union ministers and experts meet in Libreville on Oct. 26–29 to advance digital inclusion and review AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity priorities. Satellite Monitoring: Satellite analysis helped Gabonese patrols find three unlicensed trawlers inside the Grand Sud Reserve, showing how remote monitoring can help expose illegal fishing. Iboga Research: Early research into ibogaine’s potential for addiction treatment is drawing pharmaceutical interest, while conservation groups warn that wild iboga in Gabon is under pressure from poaching and rising demand.

Cybersecurity: INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III arrested 1,462 suspects, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered over $105 million across 21 countries, including Gabon. Investigators also disrupted an online vehicle-import scam in Gabon. Digital Access: Chinese smartphone makers are helping make mobile internet more affordable across Africa, where shipments reached 84.4 million in 2025. Digital Policy: African Union ministers and experts meet in Libreville from October 26 to 29 to discuss digital inclusion, AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity. Ocean Monitoring: Satellite analysis helped Gabonese patrols locate three unlicensed trawlers in the Grand Sud Reserve, showing how technology can support efforts against illegal fishing. Iboga Research: Pharmaceutical interest in ibogaine is growing, but Gabonese communities warn that rising demand could threaten wild iboga and overlook its cultural role in Bwiti traditions.

Cybercrime: Gabon joined 20 other African countries and the US in INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III, which made 1,462 arrests, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than $105 million. Authorities also disrupted an online vehicle-import scam in Gabon. Digital Policy: Libreville will host African Union ministers and experts from October 26–29 to discuss digital transformation, including AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity. Mineral Exploration: Millennial Potash says drilling at its Banio project has extended potash mineralisation to about 120 metres, with samples now being prepared for analysis. Iboga Research: Growing pharmaceutical interest in ibogaine, a compound derived from Gabon’s sacred iboga plant, is raising concerns about overharvesting and protecting local traditions.

Cybersecurity: INTERPOL’s Operation Serengeti III across 21 countries arrested 1,462 suspects, disrupted 10,909 malicious networks and recovered more than US$105 million. Investigators identified nearly 66,000 victims, with suspected losses topping US$385 million. Digital Transformation: African Union ministers and experts meet in Libreville from October 26 to 29 to review progress on AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity, and set priorities for the continent’s digital future. Ocean Monitoring: Global Fishing Watch has upgraded its AI tools to better spot fishing activity from satellite-tracked vessels. The technology has local relevance: satellite analysis helped Gabonese patrols intercept three unlicensed trawlers in a marine reserve, though most industrial vessels remain untracked. Iboga Research: Pharmaceutical interest in ibogaine, a compound from Gabon’s sacred iboga plant, is growing as early research explores its potential in addiction treatment. Conservationists warn rising demand could worsen wild harvesting and threaten the plant.

Digital Transformation: Libreville will host African Union ministers and experts on October 26–29 to advance digital inclusion and review priorities including AI, data governance, digital identity and cybersecurity. AI in Government: Gabon also took part in a Conakry forum on using artificial intelligence to improve public services and administration. Satellite Monitoring: Satellite analysis helped patrols intercept three unlicensed trawlers in Gabon’s Grand Sud marine reserve, showing how space-based monitoring can support the fight against illegal fishing. Iboga Research: Drugmakers are exploring ibogaine, a compound from Gabon’s sacred iboga plant, as a possible treatment for addiction. Researchers’ interest is raising concern about overharvesting and protecting wild populations and cultural traditions. Forest Science: New satellite-based fire data points to rising fire activity across many of Africa’s tropical forest regions, increasing concern for Congo Basin forests and peatlands.