The outgoing CAMES president, Dr. Diaka Sidibé, hands over the gavel to incoming leader Pr. Charles Edgard Mombo on June 19 in Libreville
Libreville hosted the 43rd ordinary session of the African and Malagasy Council for Higher Education (CAMES) from June 15–19, 2026, culminating in a historic decision: Gabon, represented by Higher Education Minister Pr. Charles Edgard Mombo, assumed the rotating presidency of the institution for one year. The move positions the country at the forefront of efforts to modernize, elevate standards, and expand the global footprint of African higher education.
Delegates closed the session by endorsing a robust package of resolutions designed to drive tangible progress. Minister Mombo pledged that Gabon’s tenure would prioritize rigorous implementation, ensuring every adopted measure delivers measurable outcomes for universities, faculty, researchers, and students across the CAMES network.
« This year will be defined by relentless follow-through on every resolution passed, guaranteeing that words on paper become real-world improvements in classrooms, labs, and campuses », Mombo stated as he outlined his mandate’s core priorities.
The Gabonese-led agenda focuses on swift execution of recommendations, strengthening quality assurance and academic excellence, boosting the international visibility of member states’ scientific output, and accelerating digital transformation in higher education and research.
Speaking to the continuity of the institution’s work, Mombo highlighted the ongoing contributions of the CAMES Secretariat under Secretary-General Pr. Souleymane Konaté. The session also validated proposals from expert meetings held June 15–16 in Libreville, including a sweeping revitalization strategy aimed at elevating CAMES’ share of global scientific production—currently hovering near 2%.
To reverse this trend, delegates greenlit innovative solutions such as the launch of a Virtual CAMES Academy. This digital hub will serve as a central platform offering scientific and academic services, helping institutions enhance university performance, facilitate knowledge exchange, and strengthen researcher capacities.
The Gabonese program further emphasizes deepened solidarity among member states, expanded academic mobility, intensified scientific cooperation, and a push for innovation, university-based entrepreneurship, and graduate employability.
Outgoing CAMES Chair Dr. Diaka Sidibé, Guinea’s Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, commended the collective commitment of member states to institutional transformation and expressed confidence in Gabon’s ability to advance ongoing reforms.
The session also featured a tribute to Gabonese President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, whose steadfast support for higher education, scientific research, and African academic integration was widely praised by participants.
By assuming the presidency, Gabon inherits a pivotal mission: to transform CAMES into a more dynamic, competitive, and globally influential hub capable of meeting today’s challenges in training, research, and development. Success could herald a new chapter for African higher education and amplify its voice on the world scientific stage.
The supreme governing body of CAMES confirmed that the 44th ordinary session will convene in 2027 in Yaoundé, Cameroon.
