During the Abidjan 2 international conference on artificial intelligence and digital platform regulation, Germain Ngoyo Moussavou, President of Gabon’s High Authority of Communication (HAC), engaged in discussions with Meta executives. The focal point? The recent suspension of social media platforms in Gabon and the push for stronger legal frameworks governing the digital space.
The conference, held from June 1 to 3, 2026, in Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire, brought together regulators, digital experts, and global platform representatives to address challenges in AI governance, content moderation, and freedom of communication. Organized under the aegis of the African Communication Regulators Network (RIARC) and the Francophone Media Regulators Network (REFRAM), the event underscored the continent’s growing focus on digital sovereignty.
Social media suspensions spark high-level exchanges
On the sidelines of the conference, HAC’s leader met with Balkissa Idé Siddo, Meta’s Director of Public Policy for Sub-Saharan Africa, and Serge Mbengue, the company’s West Africa representative. The talks centered on Gabon’s temporary social media blackout, with Meta acknowledging the government’s sovereign decision while emphasizing its commitment to understanding the rationale behind it.
Meta’s representatives also expressed keen interest in Gabon’s ongoing regulatory efforts to better structure digital platform usage. The company pledged to align with local initiatives aimed at enhancing content moderation and fostering collaboration with Gabon’s communication authority.
Rebuilding bridges in digital governance
While Meta advocated for the lifting of the suspension, the company clarified its intent to maintain open dialogue with Gabon’s regulators. The goal? To refine content oversight for Gabon-related material and deepen institutional cooperation between the platform and the HAC.
This engagement reflects a broader trend across Africa, where governments are increasingly asserting control over digital governance while seeking constructive engagement with global tech entities. The Abidjan 2 conference concluded with a final declaration advocating for stronger regulatory capacities, tailored legal frameworks for AI and social media, and greater integration of African languages into digital systems. The Gabon-Meta talks exemplify this balancing act: reclaiming digital sovereignty without severing ties with influential industry players.
