I n contemporary Gabon, marked by the rise of new information and communication technologies (ICTs) and growing job insecurity, an alarming phenomenon is gaining ground: “placement.” This practice—an euphemism for voluntary and short‑term prostitution—consists of many young people monetizing their bodies through multiple sexual partners, lured by easy money and the illusion of pleasure. Facilitated by dating apps and social networks, this commodification of the body exposes the youth to profound health, social, and moral risks, threatening the future of an entire generation.

As an expert in urban sociology and African development, I observe that “placement” is not a free choice but a desperate response to youth unemployment hovering around 40% (World Bank data, 2023). ICTs, by democratizing anonymous connections, are transforming Libreville and Port‑Gentil into hidden markets where the body becomes a commodity. The consequences are devastating: a surge in sexually transmitted infections (STIs), including HIV/AIDS (with a prevalence of 4.4% among 15–24 year‑olds, UNAIDS report 2024), early pregnancies, physical and psychological violence, and a profound erosion of human dignity. Added to this is the weakening of family and community values, long considered the pillars of Gabonese society.

Concrete Solutions to Eradicate This Scourge It is imperative to act on several fronts to reverse the trend: - Massive investments in education and vocational training: Multiply training centers for digital and green jobs, in partnership with tech giants such as Google or Huawei, to provide stable and well‑paid employment opportunities. - Targeted awareness campaigns: Launch ICT‑based educational programs on the risks of “placement,” involving influencers and community leaders—similar to Senegal’s successful “Zero AIDS” initiative.

- Strengthening public policies: Subsidize youth entrepreneurship (through the National Youth Fund) and tighten sanctions against exploitation, while protecting victims through shelters and free access to healthcare. - Role of civil society: Encourage NGOs and churches to promote the economic empowerment of young women and men, breaking the vicious cycle of precarity. Gabon, rich in resources, cannot tolerate its youth prostituting themselves to survive. A collective awakening is urgent: government, businesses, and society must unite to transform this precarity into opportunity. The nation’s future depends on it.