Burkina Faso is placing a much bigger bet on its digital future in 2026, nearly doubling the budget of its Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications to 61 billion CFA francs (around US$109 million).
The funding increase, approved on December 29 during a ministerial council session, reflects growing urgency within government to close connectivity gaps, modernise public services and use technology as a driver of economic growth. Last year, the ministry operated on a budget of just over 30 billion CFA francs.
Officials say the expanded budget will support a wide-ranging programme of work, covering 156 planned activities. These include rolling out 270 kilometres of new fibre-optic cable, extending mobile and broadband internet to 750 underserved areas, and setting up mini data centres to strengthen national digital infrastructure. The plan also includes digitising 100 government procedures and building “citizen houses” that bring postal and digital services closer to communities.
The 2026 push builds on progress made over the past year. In 2025, authorities expanded the national fibre network to more than 11,000 kilometres, connected dozens of public buildings to the RESINA network, and introduced new digital platforms across several state institutions. Five data centres were also acquired to support growing demand for secure data storage and processing.
Skills development has been another focus. Hundreds of young people have received digital training, including programmes specifically targeting girls, while more than 200 IT specialists were recruited and trained to support public-sector digitalisation. The launch of community-based “Zama tchéy” citizen houses has also helped improve access to basic services in local areas.
Despite these gains, Burkina Faso still faces major challenges. The country ranks near the bottom of the United Nations E-Government Development Index, highlighting gaps in online public services, digital infrastructure and capacity. Internet access remains limited, with penetration estimated at just 17%, even though mobile phone usage is far higher.
Large parts of the country are still classified as “white zones,” areas with little or no connectivity. While progress has been made in recent years, hundreds of communities remain offline, underscoring the scale of the task ahead.
By significantly increasing its digital budget, the government is signalling that technology is no longer a secondary issue but a central pillar of national development. Authorities believe that improving connectivity, modernising services and building digital skills will be essential if Burkina Faso is to strengthen public administration, support businesses and improve access to education, health and economic opportunity.
Whether the ambitious plans translate into faster, more inclusive digital progress will depend on execution. But for now, the message from government is clear: digital transformation is no longer optional, and 2026 is set to be a decisive year.
