The Gabonese government and TikTok have shifted from confrontation to collaboration, marking a new phase in the regulation of social networks. During the AI for Good / WSIS Global Summit in Geneva, held from July 7 to 11, the Minister of Digital Economy, Mark-Alexandre Doumba, engaged in high-level discussions with TikTok’s regional leadership to assess the platform’s adherence to Gabon’s updated digital laws.

This meeting followed a period of heightened scrutiny over social media governance in Gabon. Key topics included user protection—especially for minors—and TikTok’s pledge to comply with national regulations. The discussions provided a clear picture of the platform’s moderation progress in early 2026, with TikTok reporting significant action against harmful content.

Emir Gelen, TikTok’s Regional Director for Government Relations in the Middle East, Eurasia, and Africa (MEA), alongside Deputy Director Maria Cohn, presented data showing 23,504 sensitive posts removed in the first quarter of 2026. This includes 13,930 posts threatening the safety and well-being of minors, and 10,784 posts promoting regulated goods, services, or activities. The bulk of removals targeted sexualized or abusive content involving minors.

TikTok also highlighted its enhanced moderation tools, boasting a 99.8% success rate in proactively removing infringing content before users could report it—92.9% of which were blocked before any view. The platform reported removing 97.2% of flagged content within 48 hours and suspending 4,352 accounts permanently during this period.

Both parties agreed to extend their partnership for another 12 months, aligning with Gabon’s compliance timeline under the new social media regulations. For Minister Doumba, this cooperation represents a balance between fostering digital innovation and safeguarding citizens, particularly against misinformation, cyberbullying, hate speech, and other threats to youth mental health.

The Gabonese government’s stance underscores its commitment to enforcing national laws while cultivating a safer, more responsible digital space for users. This dialogue signals a constructive approach to regulating global platforms operating within its borders.