Célestin Kadjidja, President of ARCEP: "Regulation is not a brake on innovation, but a compass"

DIWA MAG: Mr President, before discussing digital issues, could you briefly introduce your background?

Mr Célestin KADJIDJA is a computer engineer with 30 years of experience in networks and information systems management, in the banking, air transport and social security sectors.

He was initially trained at the Konstanz School of Engineering in Germany, after completing his secondary education at the Lycée National Léon MBA in Libreville, Gabon. He began his professional career in the early 1990s in the banking sector. He then moved into air transport, followed by the health sector, leading IT and telecom projects in the field of social security.

Over the course of his career, he has held various positions, namely:

• Project Manager at the IT Department of BICIG Bank, BNP-Paribas Group;

• Deputy Director of Electronic Banking at BICIG, BNP-Paribas Group;

• IT and Telecommunications Director at the national airline, Air-Gabon;

• Director of Information Systems at Gabon's National Social Security Fund (CNSS);

• Technical Adviser on Information Systems, then on Information Systems Security, to the Director General of the CNSS;

• In August 2023, he was appointed President of the Regulatory Board of ARCEP Gabon by Brigadier General Brice Clotaire OLIGUI NGUEMA, President of the Transition, Head of State, President of the Gabonese Republic.

For this position, he was given a roadmap with the following priorities: improving ARCEP's governance; accelerating the development of universal service; optimising the management of frequency resources; and putting the institution's finances on a sound footing. These directives have guided his management since he effectively took office on 5 October 2023.

DIWA MAG: Since you became President of ARCEP's Regulatory Board, which major reforms or achievements are you most proud of?

• Relaunching the project to develop the Universal Electronic Communications Service in the Gabonese Republic, for which the option of extending operators' networks was chosen. Over five years, ARCEP plans to install 200 radio stations to serve several villages and provide electronic communications services in rural areas;

• Signing frequency coordination agreements at the borders with the Republic of Congo, the Republic of Cameroon and Equatorial Guinea;

• Acquiring several regulatory tools, notably improvement platforms;

• Setting up a training and capacity-building programme for ARCEP staff;

• Establishing an open dialogue with ARCEP staff.

DIWA MAG: Many citizens wonder whether they can complain when they have problems with their operators. Is this possible, and if so, how?

Every citizen, as a consumer of electronic communications services, has the full right to make their voice heard. They can send complaints directly to the operators concerned. And if no satisfactory solution is provided, they are fully entitled to refer the matter to the regulator, in this case ARCEP, for redress. This mechanism ensures that users' rights are respected and that operators remain attentive to the public's concerns.

If consumers are not satisfied by the operator, they can then contact ARCEP through the following channels: website, call centre, post, email.

As soon as ARCEP receives a complaint with supporting documents, a well-defined procedure is triggered to ensure fair handling. It takes place in several stages:

• The complaint is forwarded to the competent department for investigation;

• An acknowledgement of receipt is sent to the complainant, confirming that their request has been registered;

• The operator concerned is informed and invited to submit its observations;

• A thorough analysis of the complaint and the documents provided is carried out;

• Finally, a reasoned decision is issued and communicated to the parties concerned.

This process aims to protect consumers' rights while encouraging constructive dialogue between stakeholders in the sector.

DIWA MAG: In a world shaped by the rise of artificial intelligence and cybersecurity, how is ARCEP adapting its regulation?

As early as 2001, Law No. 005/2001 of 1 June 2001 regulating telecommunications in the Gabonese Republic defined the Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority (ARCEP) as an independent administrative authority.

Cybersecurity and its corollary, cybercrime, are covered by Law No. 027/2023 of 12 July 2023 regulating cybersecurity and the fight against cybercrime in the Gabonese Republic, which aims to strengthen critical infrastructure, protect sensitive data and punish online abuse, such as insults and threats on social media.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) is referred to in Law No. 025/2023 of 12 July 2023 amending Law No. 001/2011 of 25 September 2011 on the protection of personal data, where it is defined as a logical and automated process generally based on an algorithm capable of performing well-defined tasks.

With the rapid development of electronic communications networks and services, and their socio-economic consequences, Law No. 026/2018 regulating electronic communications in the Gabonese Republic set new general objectives, including: protecting users of electronic communications networks and services; and promoting innovation, investment and employment in the electronic communications sector.

Aware of the growing challenges of digital transformation, ARCEP is committed to building a clear, stable and coherent regulatory framework. This work is carried out in close collaboration with other national bodies such as the Authority for the Protection of Personal Data and Privacy (APDPVP) and the High Authority for Communication (HAC). Together, we work in a spirit of co-regulation to guarantee users a trusted digital environment, in line with the objectives set by Law No. 26/2018.

But these challenges go beyond national borders, because regulating Artificial Intelligence, Cybersecurity and converging technologies requires international coordination. That is why Gabon actively takes part in the work of the International Telecommunication Union (ITU), notably within the World Summit on the Information Society (WSIS).

At the 2025 edition, action line C10, devoted to ethics in AI and converging technologies, was highlighted, underlining the importance of shared standards for an ethical and inclusive digital world. This session presented the results of UNESCO's work, highlighting forward-looking analyses of the recommendation on the ethics of neurotechnology, at a time when AI, quantum, neurotechnology, biotechnology and other cutting-edge fields are entering a phase of convergence.

Faced with such complex issues, it is clear that no country can act alone. Only strong, concerted international cooperation can establish effective regulatory frameworks. The objective is clear: to ensure that these technological innovations serve the common good, while respecting the fundamental principles of human dignity, social inclusion and environmental sustainability.

DIWA MAG: DIWA champions the inclusion of women in digital. What is your vision on this subject?

The inclusion of women in digital is not an option but a strategic necessity.

Digital technology shapes our societies, our economies and our ways of life. If women are excluded, an entire part of humanity could be deprived of power, innovation and progress. Initiatives such as DIWA are crucial: they do not merely denounce inequalities, they build bridges towards autonomy, training and women's entrepreneurship. It is time for women to be not only users of digital technology, but also designers, decision-makers and leaders in this field.

DIWA MAG: You have partnered with DIWA for the second year in a row. What explains this loyalty?

ARCEP's commitment to DIWA rests on:

1. A lasting commitment to digital inclusion: "Our loyalty to DIWA reflects a clear determination to promote an inclusive digital society in which women play a central role in innovation and digital transformation."

2. Shared values: "The values championed by the DigieWomen Awards — equity, innovation, women's leadership — strongly resonate with those of ARCEP. It is therefore only natural that we renew our commitment."

3. A concrete and inspiring impact: "In two years, we have witnessed DIWA's real impact on the careers, projects and ambitions of women in digital. This kind of initiative deserves long-term support."

4. Strengthening the digital ecosystem: "By supporting DIWA, we help build a more diverse, dynamic digital ecosystem that better represents Gabonese society."

5. An active and strategic contribution: "Our partnership is not limited to symbolic support. ARCEP actively contributes to DIWA's activities, bringing its expertise, resources and network to amplify their reach."

DIWA MAG: A final word for our readers around the world?

In a constantly changing world, where technology is redrawing our landmarks and the way we interact, it is essential to remain vigilant, engaged and united. Regulation is not a brake on innovation, but rather a compass serving humanity, in all its diversity and dignity.

To everyone reading us around the world: let us stay curious, demanding and open. Together, we can build a fairer, more ethical digital society, firmly focused on the real challenges of the future.