Gabon trains young entrepreneurs in AI

The Gabonese government has started a training program for 100 young entrepreneurs in artificial intelligence, aiming to help them find jobs in a country where unemployment is high. The program was launched by the minister of Small and Medium Enterprises - Small and Medium Industries (SME-SMI) and Entrepreneurship, Zenaba Gninga Chaning, on October 28 in Libreville. It includes 25 women and 75 men between the ages of 18 and 45.

Training includes financial support

The initiative, supported by UNESCO and AKEWA Accelerator, lasts three weeks and is followed by financial support. However, the specific amounts and conditions for accessing this funding have not been detailed. The goal is to help participants start or grow their businesses after completing the training.

Previous partnerships offer loans with social rates

The ministry has previously worked with the Gabonese Guarantee Company (SGG) and the microfinance institution Savings and Development of Gabon (EDG) to offer loans with "social rates" that are lower than market rates. These loans are backed by a guarantee and are intended for 400 beneficiaries, possibly reaching a budget of 180 million CFA francs, or about 307,000 USD.

High unemployment challenges young people

According to the National Survey on Employment and Unemployment of 2024, 30.5% of people aged 15 to 35 are unemployed, compared to 17.4% for the entire active population. Most jobs are in the informal private sector, which accounts for 46.8% of employment, while the formal private sector provides only 25.4% of jobs.

Barriers to private sector growth remain

The World Bank's 2026 report on Gabon highlights obstacles to private sector development, including limited access to credit, frequent power outages, poor transport infrastructure, and regulatory and commercial barriers. The report suggests improving both skills training and the overall economic environment to attract private investment and boost business competitiveness.