Gabon revives African tech institute to tackle the continent’s digital talent gap 🇬🇦💻

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With demand for digital skills booming across Africa, Gabon is breathing new life into a once-revered institution. The government has announced plans to overhaul the African Institute of Computer Science (IAI), positioning it as a key engine for training the next generation of high-level tech professionals across the continent.

Breathing new life into a Pan-African institution 😷

Founded in 1971 and based in Libreville, the IAI was once a symbol of African technological ambition. Over the years, however, the institute lost its momentum, weighed down by structural and administrative challenges that eroded its effectiveness. Gabon is now aiming for a full reboot.

On July 22, Minister of Digital Economy Mark Alexandre Doumba met with IAI leadership to kick off a major reform initiative. According to the ministry, the overhaul will build on previous efforts and lay the groundwork for a long-term recovery.

“The IAI was once a beacon of excellence and innovation in Africa’s digital space, but in recent years, organizational and structural issues have stalled its progress and visibility,” the ministry said in a Facebook post.

Rethinking the curriculum for today’s digital world 🎓

A major pillar of the reboot: modernizing the academic offering. Gabon aims to bring the institute’s training programs in line with the evolving needs of today’s digital job market. The government is also pushing for fresh leadership and stronger governance. An extraordinary board meeting is in the works, bringing together member states to align on a new collective vision.

The reforms come at a critical time. According to the World Bank, over 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030—especially in sectors like services, telecoms, and tech development.

Yet most African countries are struggling to keep pace. A study by Talentum shows that many states produce fewer than 5,000 computer engineering graduates per year, falling drastically short of market demand. In some cases, the demand is ten times higher. This shortfall is holding back digital transformation, with businesses struggling to find qualified talent, innovation slowing, and young graduates often ill-equipped for the roles available.

Big ambitions, big challenges 🧩

Still, questions remain about how Gabon plans to execute its ambitious relaunch. Funding will be key, as will the ability to keep up with rapid shifts in technology. Support from IAI’s member states will also be crucial for the plan to gain long-term traction.

The institute currently includes eleven countries: Benin, Burkina Faso, Cameroon, Central African Republic, Côte d’Ivoire, Gabon, Niger, Senegal, Chad, Togo, and the Republic of the Congo. All are facing the same urgent need to train digital professionals. If successful, Gabon’s initiative could serve as a model for broader tech education reform across Africa.

👉🏾 Do you think reviving the IAI can help close Africa’s digital talent gap? Let us know in the comments! 😊