Organization of African First Ladies for Development: President Brice Oligui Ngema announces a 500 million CFA franc fund to strengthen the resilience of Gabonese women

At the launch of Gabon's national campaign to strengthen resilience to climate change, held on April 17, the Head of State made a point of supporting his wife, Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema, president of the Ma Bannière Foundation, to encourage her vision and commitment to the development of Gabonese and African women. In the presence of six of her sisters, First Ladies from across Africa—Senegal, Sierra Leone, Central African Republic, Burundi, São Tomé and Príncipe, and Angola—Mrs. Zita Oligui Nguema made a strong plea for continuity of care and family stability. She firmly believes that when women feel secure, families are stable and the nation stands strong. Her 2026-2027 program will significantly improve their access to healthcare. She remains convinced that resilience cannot be decreed; it must be built.

The President of Gabon assured OPDAD of the full institutional support his government will provide, saying, "Climate, security, and economic crises do not affect us all in the same way. They are harder to bear for women, mothers, and young girls who, on a daily basis, manage households and maintain family stability when everything around them is falling apart!"

The other first ladies also spoke, sharing their experiences in addressing the resilience needs of women in their respective countries. They spoke with heartfelt sincerity about their commitment, which for over 20 years within the OPDAD has gone far beyond a mere protocol role. They support their husbands, the heads of state, in implementing impactful initiatives to promote the health, education, and empowerment of African women with dignity.

The First Lady of Angola has announced the upcoming launch of the campaign in her country this July. Senegal is also in a prime position to launch its national agenda. This will certainly be a highlight for the newly established Senegal Solidarity Foundation, founded by Senegalese First Lady Marie Khone Faye.