Gabon : Libreville embraces digital tax system to modernize local governance 🇬🇦💰

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Libreville has kicked off a pilot project to digitize the collection of municipal taxes, marking a major step in the city’s efforts to modernize local governance. Officially launched in late July 2025, the initiative is led by Special Delegate Adrien Nguema Mba and powered by Gabonese tech firm GTI Gabon. The broader goal? Make tax processes more efficient, transparent, and accessible — while aligning with the Gabonese government’s broader digital reform agenda.

A digital shift for local government 🔄

Unveiled on July 29th alongside technical partners and business leaders, the project represents a turning point in Libreville’s approach to municipal administration and finance.

According to Special Delegate Adrien Nguema Mba, the program aims to clean up the city’s financial systems, simplify procedures for taxpayers, and ultimately improve the business environment. It also positions digital transformation as a central lever for modernizing public services in Gabon.

“We’re proud to launch this digital tax platform — a tool designed to streamline transactions, reduce delays, and make life easier for local businesses,” said Nguema Mba. “Our goal is to provide a powerful, reliable, and user-friendly system: a one-stop digital window for all administrative formalities. We strongly encourage all economic actors to prepare for this transition and take advantage of its many benefits.”

By introducing this system, Libreville is also aiming to rebuild trust between the administration and its citizens. Greater traceability and transparency in tax collection are key to that effort.

A digital platform built for transparency 🧩

At the heart of the project is a new digital platform developed by GTI Gabon — a cloud-based system inspired by Digitax, the national tax platform already in use across Gabon.

During the launch, GTI Gabon’s CEO Mohamed Ahmed Essgheir highlighted the platform’s core features: a centralized digital interface that allows residents and businesses to declare and pay taxes online anytime, from anywhere. A geolocated, constantly updated taxpayer database will enable precise identification and tracking.

“The system lets us know who’s paid what, in which district, and on which tax — eliminating the need for random inspections,” explained Essgheir. “It’s a rational, data-driven approach that will transform how we collect and manage local revenue.”

Other features include automated tax calculations based on current regulations, as well as interactive dashboards to help municipal teams make smarter decisions. The entire process is designed to be faster, safer, and easier to manage.

A new relationship between city hall and the local economy 🤝

Beyond the tech itself, this project is about changing how Libreville’s administration interacts with taxpayers. The system promotes transparency, clear fiscal obligations, and fewer grey areas in tax enforcement.

With real-time monitoring of payments, the platform is expected to curb revenue leaks and reduce unnecessary audits. This smarter, more targeted model should lead to better use of public resources.

Ultimately, city officials hope this move will foster a culture of accountability and encourage broader support for digital reforms. If successful, the model could extend beyond taxation, paving the way for a more connected and citizen-centric municipal ecosystem.

📌 What do you think — is digitalization the key to building a fairer, more efficient tax system in African cities?