Gabon’s Connected School Programme Pilots Digital Education Modernisation Initiative

Connected School Programme has launched in Gabon, piloting smart classrooms to modernise teaching across secondary schools. The Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalisation and Innovation unveiled the pilot on 3 December 2025 with Huawei and Moov Africa–Gabon Télécom.

The pilot equips classrooms with connected smart screens, high-definition audiovisual systems, secure collaboration platforms and high-speed internet. It links Léon Mba High School in Libreville with the Public High School of Oyem.

The Connected School Programme delivers live classes, interactive content and recorded lessons to bridge distance and improve access. It aims to harmonise standards while strengthening pedagogy nationwide.

Connected School Programme: What You Need to Know

• Gabon’s pilot links two secondary schools for live, secure, high-quality lessons delivered over connected smart classrooms.

How the Pilot Works

The Connected School Programme integrates connected smart screens and high-speed connectivity to synchronise classrooms in Libreville and Oyem.

Students in Oyem can attend lessons delivered from Libreville, ask questions in real time and access recordings for revision.

Each connected classroom features high-definition audiovisual tools, a secure collaborative platform and robust bandwidth. Teachers share interactive content, manage live Q&A and ensure learners outside the capital receive the same instruction as peers in Libreville.

The first successful link between Libreville and Oyem demonstrates how the Connected School Programme can scale into a national network, reducing geographic barriers while supporting consistent learning standards.

Schools in Focus

The Connected School Programme currently runs at Léon Mba High School in Libreville and the Public High School of Oyem.

These sites are testbeds for live lesson transmission, interactive instruction and classroom recording to support revision and continuity.

Tools and Connectivity

Classrooms participating in the Connected School Programme are configured for secure, high-quality hybrid instruction. Core capabilities include:

• High-definition audiovisual systems to improve clarity and engagement for learners in both locations.
• A secure collaborative platform to manage content, communications and participation across schools.
• High-speed internet enabling uninterrupted live teaching, interactive resources and reliable lesson recordings.

These foundations align with the wider 5G in Africa roadmap and Africa’s push toward resilient, high-performance education networks.

National Vision and Partnerships

The Connected School Programme supports President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema’s national vision, positioning digital technology as a lever for reducing educational disparities and expanding opportunity.

The Ministry leads the programme with Huawei and Moov Africa, Gabon Télécom providing technology and connectivity.

By coordinating policy, platforms and bandwidth, the initiative advances a scalable model focused on pedagogical quality and equity.

This complements broader regional efforts to break the digital divide and reflects Africa’s telecom evolution.

Building a Network of Smart Classrooms

The first inter-school link lays the foundation for extending the Connected School Programme to additional institutions.

A growing network of connected classrooms would enable equal access to high-quality lessons regardless of location, reflecting the promise of smart classroom technology Africa stakeholders continue to champion.

Learning Access and Quality

The Connected School Programme aims to harmonise standards and strengthen practice by enabling teachers to reach more students with consistent instruction.

Live classes, interactive materials and recordings provide multiple pathways to absorb content and revise at a personal pace.

Implications: Opportunities and Considerations for Digital Classrooms

The Connected School Programme expands access to quality teaching, narrows gaps between urban and regional schools and supports consistent lesson delivery.

Interactive tools can lift engagement, while recorded content helps learners catch up and consolidate understanding.

Implementation requires sustained teacher training, technical support and resilient connectivity. As with any connected environment, schools must prioritise cybersecurity, privacy and data governance.

Guidance on cyber incident response, evolving connectivity risks and opportunities and how to avoid phishing attacks can inform safeguards without constraining learning in the Gabon digital education initiative.

Conclusion

The Connected School Programme marks a pivotal step in Gabon’s education modernisation, showing how live, secure collaboration tools can shrink distance and improve access for regional learners.

With clear governance and sustained investment, the Connected School Programme can scale while protecting privacy and instructional quality. Training and support will be essential to embed practice and ensure resilient operations.

By aligning policy and infrastructure, the Connected School Programme signals a long-term commitment to digital skills, equitable access and smart classroom technology Africa stakeholders are advancing across the continent.

Questions Worth Answering

What is the Connected School Programme?

• It is a government-led pilot that links secondary schools using smart screens, secure platforms and high-speed connectivity for real-time teaching and recorded lessons.

Which schools are currently connected?

• Léon Mba High School in Libreville and the Public High School of Oyem are linked for live instruction, interactive content and revision recordings.

Who are the partners behind the pilot?

• The Ministry leads the initiative in partnership with Huawei and Moov Africa–Gabon Télécom, providing technology and connectivity.

How does the programme improve access?

• Students outside Libreville can join the same classes, ask questions live and review recordings, supporting consistent learning outcomes.

What technologies are installed in classrooms?

• Connected smart screens, high-definition audiovisual systems, a secure collaborative platform and high-speed internet power hybrid instruction.

Will the programme expand nationally?

• The government intends to extend the Connected School Programme gradually, building a nationwide network of connected classrooms.

How does security fit into the rollout?

• The Connected School Programme emphasises cybersecurity, privacy and data governance alongside teacher training and reliable connectivity.

About the Ministry of Digital Economy, Digitalisation and Innovation (Gabon)

The Ministry leads Gabon’s digital transformation across public services and priority sectors, including education. Its policies focus on inclusive access, innovation and resilient infrastructure.

Through strategic partnerships, it coordinates programmes that extend digital tools and skills to citizens, schools and institutions nationwide.

By guiding the Connected School Programme, the Ministry targets equitable learning opportunities, reduced disparities and improved outcomes through secure, connected classrooms.

About Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema

Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema is the President of Gabon and a proponent of national digital transformation.

His agenda places technology at the centre of development priorities, including reducing educational disparities and expanding youth opportunity.

Under this vision, the Connected School Programme advances equitable access to quality learning using secure, connected smart classrooms.