By: Van
Soul Addey
Startups and project leaders
in Gabon are receiving support to strengthen their applications ahead of the
selection phase of KIMBA Connect 2026, an innovation platform designed to
connect businesses with locally developed digital solutions.
An information session was
held in Libreville to guide participants preparing for the Corporate Challenges
scheduled for July 24, 2026, at the headquarters of the Bank of Central African
States (BEAC).
The session, led by the
KIMBA Connect team, provided startups with guidance on participation
requirements, evaluation criteria, expectations from partner companies and key
issues relating to intellectual property protection.
According to the organisers,
91 startups have so far registered on the platform, while 32 companies have
introduced innovation challenges seeking solutions to specific business and
economic needs.
The proposed projects cover
critical sectors including healthcare, education, agriculture, logistics and
fisheries, highlighting efforts to use innovation and technology to address
real-world challenges in Gabon.
KIMBA Connect is supported
by the Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalisation and Innovation, in
partnership with the Federation of Gabonese Enterprises (FEG), with support
from organisations including SGG, BCEG, ST Digital Center Gabon and Huawei
Technologies.
The initiative aims to
create stronger collaboration between established companies and startups by
providing a platform for the development and deployment of locally designed
solutions that contribute to Gabon’s digital transformation.
The next stage of the
programme will involve the pre-selection phase, where startups will present
their proposals before a panel comprising experts, partner companies and
institutions for evaluation.
