The Gabonese government has taken a significant step towards addressing the country's civil status challenges with the opening of a 10-day preparatory workshop in Nkok. The event, which began on September 28, 2026, was inaugurated by Malcom Emery Djenno Ngomanda, Secretary General of the Ministry of Interior. The workshop aims to prepare for the upcoming national conference on civil status and the operationalization of the National Civil Status Center (CNEC).
The national conference on civil status is part of the government's efforts to provide legal identification to all citizens. According to Ngomanda, the current situation is such that no Gabonese family is spared from the problems associated with civil status, which affects all layers of the population and spans all generations. This has resulted in many citizens being unable to obtain essential documents such as birth certificates, passports, or national identity cards.
The workshop brings together several administrations concerned with civil status issues, including the Ministries of Interior, Justice, Planning, and Digital Economy, as well as the National Agency for Digital Infrastructure and Frequencies (ANINF). The objective is to share the conclusions of the state of identity in Gabon, define the themes and calendar of the future national conference, and install the organization committee and technical commissions.
The workshop is part of the Gabon Digital program, supported by the World Bank, which aims to make access to civil status a priority. The program includes several digital projects, such as interoperability of systems, a services portal, digital payment, cybersecurity, hosting, and electronic document management. These projects are expected to address the technical needs of administrations and provide solutions to the challenges associated with civil status.
The preparatory workshop will enable participants to translate the needs of administrations into technical requirements for the structuring digital projects of Gabon Digital. The conclusions of the workshop will serve as a basis for the national conference on civil status, which will be an important step in the reform of civil status initiated by the Gabonese government with the support of the World Bank.
According to the Gabon Press Agency, the national conference on civil status will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss the challenges associated with civil status and find solutions. The conference is expected to lead to the implementation of measures that will enable all citizens to have legal identification, which is essential for accessing basic services and exercising their rights.
The Gabonese government has emphasized the importance of addressing civil status challenges, which have significant implications for citizens' lives. The ongoing workshop and upcoming national conference are critical steps towards finding solutions to these challenges and ensuring that all citizens have access to essential documents and services.
Key points
- The Gabonese government has launched a 10-day preparatory workshop for the national conference on civil status, aiming to address issues with citizens' legal identification.
- The workshop is part of the Gabon Digital program, supported by the World Bank, which aims to make access to civil status a priority.
- The national conference on civil status will provide a platform for stakeholders to discuss challenges and find solutions, enabling all citizens to have legal identification.
