My 10 Days in Gabon: At the 9th Edition of Les Sambas Professionnels

In June of this year, I was invited by Sambas Labs to participate in their 9th Edition of the Les Sambas Professionnels Skills Exchange Programme, held from June 26th to July 1st, 2023, at the Michel Dirat Private School in Libreville, Gabon. Each year, Les Sambas Professionnels brings professionals from Africa and France to share their expertise with young professionals in Gabon. My friend David Monfort, a talented photographer, director, and CEO of D’Agency, has participated in the programme for several years. This year, David proposed inviting me as a 'special guest' to share my experience of empowering African entrepreneurs and filmmaking. Upon my return in July, I began writing about my participation in the Les Sambas Programme. However, I fell ill. I'm revisiting my time in Gabon through this article, recounting the ten days spent there. It was a homecoming for my soul.

Les Sambas Professionnels

Les Sambas was founded in 2014 by Josiane Maténé to provide practical tools for employability, empowerment, and skills development to young professionals and entrepreneurs. Since its inception, more than 1,500 participants have gone through the programme, with many starting businesses or pursuing professional careers in Gabon, neighbouring African countries, and France. Les Sambas Professionnels is a unique knowledge-sharing platform to strengthen African professionals and the entrepreneurship ecosystem. Josiane, Latif and Bijou lead the programme with volunteer support workers.

This year, experts from Senegal, C?te d'Ivoire, France, Gabon, and the UK generously offered their time and expertise to over 150 participants who registered for the one-week programme in Libreville, the capital of Gabon. Libreville is a small city on the Atlantic Ocean's shores, offering breathtaking coastal views and lush green forests. The drive from the hotel to the programme venue takes us past landmarks such as the President's Palace, the airport, the bustling green market, a vibrant fish market, and modern shopping malls and boutiques. Despite its size, even Libreville faces morning and evening traffic jams due to the limited number of highways connecting the city.

Meeting Dr. Massamba Gueye

The highlight of my time in Gabon was meeting Dr Massamba Gueye, or Massamba as we all called him. ?The Les Sambas 9th edition was proudly sponsored by Dr Massamba Gueye, a multi-talented, renowned storyteller, playwright and poet. He is the Director of K?r Leyti, House of Orality and Heritage in Dakar, Senegal. Dr Massamba Gueye’s compelling presence and words of wisdom set the tone for the entire week. Although I don't speak French, the power of his words resonated deeply with me. With his tall, elegant figure adorned in traditional attire, he captured the attention of the young attendees and the coaches who would accompany them throughout the forthcoming week. The young Les Sambas affectionately refer to him as the ‘godfather’, serving as a guiding light for all who gather under his mentorship.

As I got to know Massamba, I understood that his roots lie in the rich tradition of African orality. He acquired the French language through oral communication. Growing up in a village, he was exposed to the village griots who spoke at various ceremonies. His role models were renowned griots like Mory Mbaya from Senegal, masters of spontaneous public speaking and skilled artisans crafting vivid imagery with their words. Massamba's eloquent public speaking style is deeply rooted in his African heritage.

Dr Massamba’s Storytelling Heritage

He tells me that, despite being unaware of his storytelling heritage, he was encouraged by his elders to speak in public. Little did he know that he would become the custodian of this ancient form of communication, a tradition passed down through his mother, who belonged to a lineage of "healing words" conveyors. His voice possesses a cathartic quality, capable of soothing souls and healing through the transformative power of his spoken word.

Massamba's ability to recite poems from memory showcases his fascination with the potency of words and the magic of myths. He told me how he came to storytelling: "I came to storytelling because I am myself the story". Whether during lunch, as we strolled to the various classes, during evening dinners, or on the bus ride back to the hotel, Massamba captivated us with his commanding presence and storytelling prowess.

Significance of Storytelling

Massamba showed us the significance of storytelling and its ability to shape minds and ignite imagination throughout the week-long programme. His words carried the weight of generations, forging a connection between the past and present and instilling a renewed appreciation for the timeless power of storytelling in the hearts and minds of the young participants in the Les Sambas Professionnels programme.

Massamba’s academic journey is also noteworthy. He pursued a Master's degree in Comparative Literature with a specific focus on African Literature and eventually earned a Ph.D. in Oral Literature. His professor shared the importance of storytelling as an essential skill encompassing various genres and techniques. As he explained, it was his deep immersion in this world of storytelling which revealed his calling and passion for the spoken word.

When I was invited to speak, I was nervous about following the eloquence of Dr Massamba. I told the audience this was a moment of celebration, an unprecedented opportunity for Gabon and Africa. The Les Sambas Professionnels programme has pioneered a way to harness young people's ingenuity and creativity to develop Gabon and Africa. The transformation we will witness over the next week will be two ways because we, the “coaches”, too, will be transformed by the encounter with the people of Gabon, reimagining Africa. Imagine my delight when Dr. Massamba told me that I was a storyteller, that I spoke from the heart of hope and change.

The Expert Coaches

The expert coaches played a crucial role in leading this well-structured programme. This year's coaches included a diverse group of professionals:

• Alain Bidjeck, CEO and Founder of MOCA - Marketplace Of Creative Africans is dedicated to empowering and promoting artists and entrepreneurs.
• Bassirou Niang, specialising in audiovisual and photography.
• Joelle Ndong, a journalist and presenter with the French channel TV5MONDE.
• Mireille Dirat, a journalist with DGA, part of Gabon Television.
• Sylvere Boussamba, founder of the Innovation Centre and a certified coach in Gabon.
• Marius Ziedou, also known as Coach Ziedou, is a businessman and entrepreneurship coach.
• Holden Opolo Mbany, an expert in infographics for marketing.
• Freddhy Koula, a journalist and presenter from Gabon.
• Nicaise Moulombi, an environnement expert in Gabon.
• Romain Grimaud, a sports presenter on French television.
• Vincent Radureau, a sports journalist with Canal +.
• Lumina Cazadamont, an environment expert.

Transformation and Impact

Throughout the week, I had the privilege to witness the dedication and engagement of the professionals and entrepreneurs gathered from across Gabon. ?They drew inspiration from the wisdom and knowledge exchanged through practical teaching, skills development and a shift in mindset. It was heartwarming to see the coaches eagerly awaiting their mentees' presentations at the closing ceremony, reflecting the core values of humanity and humility at the heart of the Les Sambas spirit. ?

Inspiring Stories

I can't forget the moving stories, like a young entrepreneur who left a high-paying job in the oil industry to start a banana farm in Gabon, only to encounter unbelievable business obstacles. After several years of absorbing losses, he was forced to close his business. Or the story of a talented young basketball player competing to join the NBA in the USA, only to have his dreams shattered through injury. Over several meetings, he showed me how he had turned his failure into an opportunity to train other young basketball players from Gabon, helping them pursue their dreams of joining an NBA team.

The Impactful Coaches

All the coaches' teaching and engagement with the participants were exceptional. The sessions focussed on entrepreneurship, led by the extraordinary Marius Ziedou or Coach Ziedou, were the most popular. Given my work designing and implementing a pan-African entrepreneurship programme with the Tony Elumelu Foundation from 2014 to 2019, I was drawn to his sessions. Witnessing his high energy, passion, and enthusiasm for sharing his knowledge and experience in building a successful portfolio of companies across West Africa left a magical impression.

Meeting Sylvere Boussamba

Imagine my surprise when I met Sylvere Boussamba, the founder of the Innovation Centre in Gabon, who informed me that he had been a mentor on my entrepreneurship programme for several years. Sylvere led sessions on ‘Creating Sustainable Value: Human, Social, Economic, and Environmental’. His sessions were packed with valuable information, practical tools and skills for professionals and entrepreneurs.

Sylvere is the visionary behind the Ogooue Labs - Innovation Lab, an ?Accelerator, Entrepreneurship and Leadership School in Gabon. ?The Innovation Lab trains and empowers a cohort of 70 young tech entrepreneurs annually, with 1,000 individuals benefitting from the programme over five years. The return on investment is remarkable, with 500 individuals trained and gainfully employed.

Inspiring Entrepreneurial Ventures

During my visit to the Innovation Lab, I had the privilege of meeting a diverse group of entrepreneurs, some of whom had completed my entrepreneurship programme. They shared inspiring stories of their businesses, which ranged from a successful Health App for blood donations, now being used by the ICRC, to ventures in online education, travel agencies, a unique laundry automation service, a graphic design agency, and even a small cinema. The Bio Africa Platform, celebrating lesser-known individuals to inspire others, currently features 100 biographies and aims to expand its impact by reaching schools. Additionally, an innovative recycling app was among the ideas presented.

Challenges and Needs

However, it became evident that a common challenge for these entrepreneurs is the ongoing need for business development support and improved access to funding. Another pressing issue is searching for and nurturing talent to create more job opportunities.

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Gratitude to Nicaise Mouloumbi

I extend my heartfelt thanks to Nicaise Moulombi, his dear wife, and children for welcoming us into their home and treating us to the finest Gabonese cuisine. We dined in the courtyard, sharing stories, passions, and hopes, talking and laughing well into the night. Nicaise and Lumina Cazadamont led environmental classes, instructing young people on developing local solutions.

Importance of Entrepreneurship in Africa

In my two sessions, I reminded the participants why entrepreneurship matters for Africa. Throughout my six years of living and travelling across 54 countries, I have witnessed remarkable talent reimagining Africa, turning adversity into strength, loss into resolve, and challenges into opportunity. The same commitment and intensity I've seen and felt were evident in the Les Sambas Professionnels gathered that week. I spoke about the African Continental Free Trade Agreement, which aims to create a single market for goods and services, connecting 1.3 billion people across the continent. I also shared practical tips on developing a pitch deck, taking a storytelling approach, finding the right investors, and harnessing the power of networking. My presentation was in English, with seamless translation provided by Coach Ziedou.

The Culmination of Les Sambas Professionnels 9th Edition

The closing ceremony of the 9th edition of Les Sambas Professionnels marked the culmination of a truly unique programme cultivating conscious, value-driven entrepreneurs embodying the energy of hope and the spirit of 'can do.' The ceremony was a testament to unity and diversity, reflecting Les Sambas' mission of encouraging Africans to contribute, not just receive and emphasising the potential for success beyond anyone's expectations. I was filled with joy to be in the company of energetic and hopeful young Africans again, passionate about their country and continent.

Chance Encounters?

Then, there were the chance encounters that blossomed into deep friendships. While waiting in line to check in for my flight from Paris to Libreville, I asked a beautiful and elegant young woman in front of me if I was in the right line. She smiled and confirmed that it was indeed the check-in line for Libreville. This marked the beginning of a beautiful friendship and the first of many such encounters during the ten days I spent in this remarkable country.

Elsa Izere and Her Insights

Elsa Izere was returning from a week in Paris, where she attended the International Summit for a New Global Financing Pact called for by French President Emmanuel Macron. She was part of the Gabonese delegation, including representatives from several African countries. Elsa worked as an investment analyst for the Gabonese Sovereign Wealth Fund. Originally from Burundi, she had lived in Gabon for six years. She is intelligent and passionate about climate, energy, health and economic crises, particularly in the most vulnerable countries. During our seven-hour flight, I learned much about Gabon, its history, culture, people and traditions. Her current obsession, she tells me, is how to ensure the people of Gabon benefit from the commercialisation of the Iboga, a naturally grown plant which can treat addiction. She tells me there is a rush from clinics and scientists worldwide to turn a profit from this powerful Gabonese plant.

We met several times during my stay in Libreville. Over lunch, she introduced me to David Mdoussou, a talented young filmmaker embarking on his first feature film project set in Gabon. Elsa drove me into the rural areas, navigating deep dirt roads, where I saw rural poverty and the lack of infrastructure. I couldn’t help but wonder how these communities cope with continuous rainfall in Gabon.

The Coup in Gabon

As we know, so much has changed in Gabon since my visit in June 2023. On 30th August 2023, the military seized power and placed President Ali Bongo under house arrest, ending over 55 years of rule of the Bongo family. The army said they decided “to defend peace by putting an end to the current regime” as people took to the streets to welcome the coup. Gabon became the latest former African French colony to experience a coup, following Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger. I was in my village in India, recovering from my illness, when I heard the news. I immediately called my Les Sambas friends in Gabon. They reassured me, saying, “It's okay, ma, we are all safe. It was peaceful, everyone was okay, no violence, bloodshed, or protests.” It was almost as if it was expected.

While driving around Libreville at the end of June, I noticed posters for the upcoming elections scheduled for August 26, but they only featured President Ali Bongo and his party. I inquired about the opposition, as I couldn't see any campaign posters, hear news on the radio, or read about them in the newspapers. No one discussed the upcoming elections; they all seemed resigned to the belief that President Ali Bongo would win, which he did, but the army was not content.

The New Leadership

The new leader of Gabon, General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema, was sworn in as the President of the transitional committee. He expressed, “With the new government, made up of experienced people, we’re going to give everyone a chance to hope.” The people of Gabon reacted to the news with celebrations, taking to the streets to back the military. Images of them jubilating brought back memories of seeing so many disillusioned and powerless Gabonese in the same streets during my travels across the city.

Challenges and Hope for the Future

The people have welcomed the regime change, and General Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema must now deliver on his promise to give everyone a chance to hope, create a corruption-free future for Gabon, redistribute wealth to the third of the population living below the poverty line, develop infrastructure for the urban and rural poor, and provide jobs for the young unemployed. Blessed with abundant natural resources, including oil, uranium and manganese, Gabon is home to a modest population of 2.4 million, boasting one of Africa's highest per capita GDP figures. Despite its extensive mineral wealth, which has been harnessed over the years to bring prosperity to the country, Gabon grapples with the stark reality that more than a third of its population lives in poverty.

One organisation which has been working for the past ten years to give people hope is Les Sambas Professionnels. I invite the new administration of Gabon to engage with them.

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About Parminder Vir OBE

Over a 40-year distinguished career, Parminder Vir OBE has passionately devoted her life to amplifying untold narratives and resourcing the skills and imagination of underserved communities. At the core of her mission lies an unshakable faith in the transformative potential of ideas and stories to ignite profound change. Her diverse expertise spans African entrepreneurship, an impressive portfolio as an award-winning film and television producer, and unwavering advocacy for the arts and culture.

Currently, Parminder Vir serves as the Executive Director of Wazima Health , lends her strategic insights as an Advisory Board Member of Mamamoni Limited and HelpMum Africa , and contributes as a Narrative Advisor at Mustard Venture Agency. She is also a director of ZIKORA Media & Arts African Cultural Heritage Initiative , an inspirational cultural institution for Africa.

In her prior role as CEO of the Tony Elumelu Foundation and Advisory Board Member, she masterminded and executed a comprehensive entrepreneurship programme, impacting over 10,000 African entrepreneurs across 54 African nations from 2014 to 2021. Her tireless commitment to championing entrepreneurship as the keystone for Africa's social and economic advancement continues to be a resounding call to action.