This week, Gabon’s President Ali Bongo Ondimba, was ousted in a military coup and has been placed under house arrest. Ali Bongo had recently won the country’s election and was set to continue his rule for the 14th consecutive year.
This latest coup is the sixth successful coup in Africa since 2020.
The coup leaders, who claimed to have acted in the name of democracy and social justice, dissolved the government and parliament, closed the borders, and arrested Bongo’s son and several other officials.
The coup has raised concerns about the stability and security of Gabon, which is home to about 2.4 million people and hosts several foreign companies and investors. Among them are tech firms that have been developing the country’s digital infrastructure and innovation potential.
So what happens to Gabon’s tech ecosystem after this latest coup?
About Gabon
Gabon, is a small but oil-rich country in Central Africa. It has one of the highest internet penetration rates in Africa, with about 70% of its population online, according to the World Bank.
The country also has a relatively advanced telecom sector, with 4G services available in most urban areas and fiber-optic cables connecting it to neighboring countries and international submarine cables.
The government, under Bongo’s leadership, had launched several initiatives to promote digital transformation and e-government services, such as the Gabon Numerique project, which aimed to create a digital economy and foster entrepreneurship. The project included the establishment of a tech park, a data center, a national digital identity system, and a digital university.
Gabon also has a vibrant tech community, with several hubs, incubators, and accelerators supporting local startups and innovators.
Coup Disruptions
The coup could have serious implications for the tech ecosystem in Gabon, as it could disrupt the internet and telecom services, create uncertainty and insecurity for tech entrepreneurs and investors, and hamper the implementation of digital policies and projects.
The coup could also affect Gabon’s role as a key supplier of manganese, a metal that is used in steelmaking and battery production. Gabon is the second-biggest manganese producer in the world and mined an estimated 4.6 million metric tons of the metal in 2022, according to U.S. Geological Survey (USGS) data.
What Happens Now
The international community has condemned the coup and called for a peaceful resolution of the crisis. The African Union has suspended Gabon’s membership and threatened sanctions if the constitutional order is not restored. The United Nations Security Council has also expressed its deep concern and urged all parties to respect human rights and the rule of law.
It is unclear how long the coup will last or what its outcome will be. However, it is clear that Gabon’s tech ecosystem faces significant challenges and risks in the wake of this political turmoil.
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