Raponda worked as Director General of the Economy and Deputy Director General the Housing Bank of Gabon.[1] She served as Budget Minister from February 2012 until January 2014.[4][5] Raponda was elected Mayor of the capital city Libreville on 26 January 2014, representing the ruling Gabonese Democratic Party.[3] She was the first woman to hold the position since 1956 and she served until 2019.[6][7] She also became President of United Cities and Local Governments Africa.[8]