Gabon Partners with Smart Africa to Deploy Digital Skills Academy

Gabon has signed a memorandum of understanding with Smart Africa to deploy the Smart Africa Digital Academy (SADA), part of a broader effort to strengthen digital skills and prepare talent for opportunities in the digital economy.

The partnership will establish training programmes in data science, cybersecurity, cloud computing, and AI fundamentals, targeting both recent graduates and mid-career professionals looking to transition into tech roles.

"The digital economy is not waiting for Africa to catch up," said Gabon's Minister of Digital Economy. "We are investing now so that Gabonese talent can lead, not follow."

Smart Africa, the continental initiative backed by African heads of state, has deployed similar digital academies in Rwanda, Senegal, and Tunisia. The Gabon deployment will be the first in Central Africa.

The programme is expected to train 5,000 Gabonese citizens in its first two years, with plans to scale through partnerships with local universities and private sector employers.