Twenty-seven entities in Gabon’s football system, including 16 clubs and nine provincial leagues, have received technical approvals and final registration certificates as the country moves to strengthen private-sector investment in the sport.

The certificates were presented on October 22, 2026, in Libreville, marking a significant step towards removing administrative barriers that have prevented football organisations from accessing corporate funding.

Many companies in Gabon have expressed interest in supporting football through their corporate social responsibility programmes but have been reluctant to commit resources due to a lack of legal safeguards.

Minister of Youth and Sports, Paul Ulrich Kessany Zategwa, said the new documentation would help clubs establish their credibility and improve their chances of securing private-sector support.

“By providing clubs with valid administrative documentation, we are removing a major obstacle to accessing private funding,” Kessany Zategwa explained.

He added that the certificates would enable clubs to submit stronger funding applications, reassure potential partners and benefit from support programmes offered by companies.

The Gabonese government believes football development can no longer depend solely on public funding, stressing the need for sustainable partnerships with private businesses within a transparent and secure framework.

The initiative is a key component of the Taskforce for the Renewal of Gabonese Football, whose proceedings are scheduled to run until October 26.

Two of the taskforce’s seven workshops are specifically focused on strengthening the economic foundations of the sport.

One workshop examines financing and business models, while the other focuses on communication and marketing, with the objective of improving the visibility and commercial appeal of national competitions to advertisers and broadcasters.

The discussions are expected to explore ways to make Gabonese football more attractive to investors while developing sustainable revenue streams for clubs and other football organisations.

With nearly 300 applications from sports associations still undergoing regularisation, Gabon is preparing to expand the number of organisations eligible to enter secure partnerships with private-sector sponsors.

The process is intended to provide more sports entities with the administrative standing required to access funding and establish formal relationships with corporate partners.

Through the initiative, Gabon aims to strengthen the financial sustainability of its football sector and position the country as a credible investment destination for football development in Central Africa.