Morocco named key academic partner in Gabon’s education reform

Gabon Retools Scholarships: Focus on Strategic Sectors & Budget-Friendly Destinations

New policy aims to align education spending with national development goals and curb brain drain.

Gabon will revamp its international scholarship program starting in the 2025-2026 academic year, prioritizing strategic sectors and cost-effective destinations. This shift comes directly from President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema's directive to align education spending with national development goals and address concerns about "brain drain."

Scholarships will be reserved for fields such as agronomy, digital technologies, specialized medicine, renewable energy, and raw material processing. The National Agency for Scholarships (ANBG) cited cost disparities as a key factor, noting that Morocco and Senegal offer significantly lower per-student expenses compared to traditional destinations like France, Canada, or the US.

"Those who go to the US or Canada never return," stated President Nguema, highlighting the retention challenge associated with sending students abroad.

Morocco has emerged as a key academic partner for Gabon under this new South-South cooperation model. The ANBG praised Morocco's educational quality and cultural proximity as significant assets in this partnership.