PROXIGAB: Gabon’s new digital platform aims to unlock funding for startups and SMEs 🇬🇦 🚀

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Gabon’s Ministry of Commerce, SMEs, and Youth Entrepreneurship officially launched PROXIGAB on Thursday, January 22, 2026. The new national digital platform is designed to connect local projects with both domestic and international sources of funding, positioning itself as a key tool to strengthen the country’s entrepreneurial ecosystem and foster public-private partnerships.

A platform built for SMEs and young entrepreneurs 💼

At its core, PROXIGAB aims to tackle one of the biggest hurdles facing entrepreneurs: access to financing and strategic partners. The platform primarily targets SMEs, young entrepreneurs, and innovators, offering them greater visibility and easier connections with large corporations, financial institutions, and technical and funding partners—both locally and abroad.

Through this initiative, the government hopes to better structure Gabon’s entrepreneurial landscape while creating a more attractive environment for investment and the growth of local businesses.

Structuring the entrepreneurial ecosystem 🧩

Speaking at the launch event, Gninga Chaning Zenaba, Minister of Commerce, SMEs, and Youth Entrepreneurship, described PROXIGAB as a strategic lever for economic development. According to her, the platform is designed to build trust between entrepreneurs and investors while highlighting high-potential projects.

She also emphasized the central role of digital tools in economic transformation. By organizing and showcasing project opportunities more effectively, PROXIGAB aims to improve their credibility with investors and facilitate long-term partnerships with organizations capable of supporting business growth over time.

Features focused on funding and support 💡

During the presentation, officials outlined several of PROXIGAB’s key features. The platform includes project selection and support mechanisms tailored to the specific needs of entrepreneurs and SMEs.

It also integrates mentorship programs developed in partnership with major companies, helping founders strengthen their skills and business capabilities. In addition, PROXIGAB is designed to facilitate access to financing solutions that reflect the realities of Gabon’s local economic fabric.

Project leaders noted that the platform will remain scalable and evolve over time. Future improvements will be shaped by feedback from ecosystem stakeholders, with a strong focus on performance, usability, and data security—an essential factor in building user trust.

Digital technology as a driver of economic growth 📊

With the launch of PROXIGAB, the Gabonese government is reaffirming its ambition to position digital technology as a catalyst for SME development and entrepreneurship. The broader goal is to boost job creation, encourage innovation, and support the diversification of the national economy.

By centralizing funding opportunities and simplifying connections between economic players, PROXIGAB positions itself as a foundational tool—one expected to play a significant role in reshaping Gabon’s entrepreneurial landscape.

👉🏾 Do you think that platforms such as PROXIGAB can really facilitate access to finance for local entrepreneurs?