Gabon leads CAMES 2026 with bold academic transformation agenda
During the 43rd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the Council for the African and Malagasy Higher Education (CAMES), held in Libreville from June 15 to 19, 2026, a historic transition took place. The Gabonese Minister of Higher Education, Professor Charles Edgard Mombo, assumed the rotating presidency of the institution for the coming year, succeeding Dr. Diaka Sidibé of Guinea.
This handover marks a pivotal moment for Gabon, which now stands at the forefront of efforts to modernize, elevate, and expand the reach of higher education across Africa. The handover ceremony, held on June 19, underscored the Gabonese government’s commitment to driving tangible progress in academic excellence and institutional governance.
Strategic priorities for Gabon’s CAMES presidency
The Gabonese leadership has outlined a clear roadmap for its mandate. Central to this vision is the rigorous implementation of resolutions adopted during the session, ensuring that each decision translates into measurable impact for universities, faculty, researchers, and students across member states. “This year will be defined by action,” declared Professor Mombo. “Our goal is to ensure every resolution yields concrete results that strengthen our collective academic ecosystem.”
The presidency’s agenda includes several key priorities:
- Enhancing quality assurance and academic excellence across higher education institutions in the CAMES space.
- Boosting the international visibility and appeal of scientific research produced by member states.
- Accelerating digital transformation in higher education and research to align with global standards.
- Strengthening solidarity and mobility among member states through enhanced academic cooperation.
- Fostering innovation and entrepreneurship in universities to improve graduate employability.
The session also highlighted the need to address a critical challenge: the underrepresentation of the CAMES space in global scientific output. Despite its vast potential, member states currently contribute only about 2% of the world’s scientific production. To reverse this trend, delegates approved an ambitious revitalization strategy centered on the creation of a virtual CAMES Academy—a digital platform designed to serve as a hub for scientific services, knowledge sharing, and capacity-building for researchers and institutions.
Continuity and innovation in governance
The Gabonese presidency builds upon the groundwork laid by the outgoing administration under Dr. Diaka Sidibé, whose leadership was widely acknowledged for its effectiveness. The new mandate aims to consolidate and expand these efforts, with a focus on sustainability and measurable outcomes.
Key initiatives include:
- The establishment of a virtual academy to centralize academic resources, training programs, and collaborative research opportunities.
- Strengthened partnerships between member states to promote academic mobility and joint research projects.
- Increased investment in digital infrastructure to support remote learning, research dissemination, and institutional networking.
The outgoing president commended the Gabonese delegation for its proactive approach and expressed full confidence in the country’s ability to lead the next phase of CAMES’ evolution. “The Gabonese team has demonstrated a deep understanding of the challenges ahead and a clear vision for the future,” she noted.
A tribute to leadership and vision
The assembly also paid tribute to President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema of Gabon, whose unwavering support for higher education, scientific research, and continental academic integration was praised by participants. His leadership, they noted, has been instrumental in positioning Gabon as a key player in Africa’s educational transformation.
Looking ahead, the Gabonese presidency sets an ambitious goal: to transform CAMES into a more competitive, innovative, and globally influential higher education space. By focusing on excellence, digitalization, and collaboration, Gabon aims to redefine the standards of academic achievement across the continent.
The next session of the CAMES Council of Ministers will take place in Yaoundé, Cameroon, in 2027, where the torch will be passed to the next presidency.
