Gabon leads CAMES 2026 with bold reforms in higher education

Outgoing CAMES President Dr. Diaka Sidibé hands over the baton to incoming President Professor Charles Edgard Mombo in Libreville on June 19, 2026

The 43rd ordinary session of the Council of Ministers of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES), held in Libreville from June 15 to 19, 2026, concluded with a landmark decision: Gabon, represented by Higher Education Minister Professor Charles Edgard Mombo, assumed the rotating presidency of the institution for one year. This pivotal role positions Gabon at the forefront of Africa’s ambitions to modernize, elevate, and expand higher education across the continent.

Following intense deliberations that resulted in the adoption of key recommendations and resolutions, the Gabonese government reaffirmed its commitment to transforming this presidency into a period of tangible progress for universities, faculty, researchers, and students within the CAMES community.

“This year-long leadership will prioritize rigorous implementation of Council decisions, ensuring every resolution yields measurable outcomes for our institutions and learners,” stated Professor Mombo, outlining his mandate’s core priorities.

The Gabonese presidency outlined several strategic objectives, including expediting the adoption of resolutions, enhancing academic excellence and quality assurance in member institutions, boosting the international visibility of African scientific research, and accelerating digital transformation in higher education and research. This agenda builds on the foundational work of CAMES’ General Secretariat, led by Professor Souleymane Konaté.

During the session, experts convened from June 15 to 16 to refine proposals later endorsed by the Council. Among the adopted measures is an ambitious revitalization strategy aimed at strengthening CAMES’ global scientific footprint. Currently, the space contributes just 2% to worldwide scientific output, prompting calls for urgent innovation.

To address this gap, leaders endorsed the creation of a Virtual CAMES Academy—a digital hub designed to support member states and institutions in enhancing university performance, fostering knowledge sharing, and building researcher capacity. The initiative reflects Gabon’s broader focus on solidarity among member states, academic mobility, scientific cooperation, and promoting innovation, university entrepreneurship, and graduate employability.

Outgoing CAMES President Dr. Diaka Sidibé, Guinea’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, praised Gabon’s readiness to advance the reforms initiated during her tenure, underscoring the collective commitment to institutional transformation.

The session also paid tribute to Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, whose unwavering support for higher education, scientific research, and African academic integration earned unanimous acclaim from participants.

With this presidency, Gabon inherits a mission to elevate CAMES into a more dynamic, competitive, and globally influential hub—one capable of addressing modern challenges in education, research, and development. This vision could herald a new era for African higher education and amplify its voice on the world stage.

The CAMES governing body confirmed that the 44th ordinary session will take place in 2027 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.