Gabon Taps State Guarantee and Huawei to Boost Digital Startups

Gabon plans to address two of the main obstacles facing its startup ecosystem: access to finance and digital skills. On Tuesday, July 14, the Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalization and Innovation signed two separate agreements with the Gabonese Guarantee Company (SGG) and Huawei Technologies Gabon during the launch of Kimba Connect.

The partnerships will improve young innovative companies' access to bank financing while strengthening their capabilities in digital technologies.

Digital Economy Minister Mark-Alexandre Doumba said the agreements reflect the government's commitment to providing entrepreneurs with support that extends beyond project financing.

Under the agreement with the SGG, the parties will establish guarantee mechanisms designed to reduce the risks that financial institutions assume when they lend to startups. SGG Chief Executive Alban Etho said risk-sharing represents a key condition for stimulating innovation and improving startups' access to bank credit.

The second agreement assigns Huawei Technologies Gabon a technical support role.

The Chinese technology company will establish smart innovation rooms and deploy training programs covering networking, cybersecurity, artificial intelligence and software development. Participants will also gain access to Huawei's internationally recognized certified training kits.

Both agreements form part of Kimba Connect, which the organizers describe as Gabon's first national open innovation program.

The initiative aims to connect established companies with local startups to transform business challenges into digital solutions. According to the organizers, the program targets an ecosystem of 150 to 200 startups, which will receive financial and technological support, labeling services and easier access to markets.

Applications will remain open until July 24, and the program will conclude with a final competition on August 4.

This artcle was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J. A de Berry Quenum