• Gabon’s government launched Missamou, its first virtual assistant chatbot, to modernise state-citizen communication.
• Missamou uses natural language processing to provide round-the-clock official information and public services via Facebook Messenger.
• This move reflects Gabon’s push for digital inclusion and follows similar AI initiatives in African countries like Benin.

Governments worldwide are increasingly turning to chatbots to modernize public communication and improve citizens’ access to information. This growing trend reflects a broader push for more direct, interactive, and continuous engagement between the state and the public.

On  July 15, the Gabonese government unveiled Missamou, a virtual assistant available through Facebook Messenger. Described as the country's first government chatbot, Missamou allows users to ask questions, check official news, access public services, and obtain information about administrative procedures—anytime, anywhere.

Built using natural language processing (NLP), Missamou can understand everyday speech and deliver real-time responses from verified government sources. The system is designed to ease the burden on traditional services like call centres and in-person offices.

This initiative is part of Gabon’s broader digital transformation agenda, which promotes transparency, open data, and digital inclusion. By launching Missamou on Facebook Messenger, a widely used platform among the youth, the government hopes to ensure high user engagement and widespread adoption.

With the launch of Missamou, Gabon seeks to enhance the distribution of official information, streamline access to public services, and encourage greater citizen engagement. This effort aligns with a broader regional movement toward digital innovation in governance.

In 2023, Benin introduced GPT-BJ, a sophisticated conversational assistant designed to respond to complex inquiries regarding key legal frameworks such as the General Tax Code, Labour Code, Digital Code, and Penal Code. Created by the Agence des Systèmes d'Information et du Numérique (ASIN), GPT-BJ has been recognized as a pioneering tool for improving legal accessibility and promoting transparent governance.

By adopting similar AI-driven solutions, Gabon is positioning itself alongside regional leaders in leveraging technology for more connected, responsive, and citizen-focused government services.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Edited in English by Ange Jason Quenum