Burkina Faso: Universities connected to high-speed internet
The Burkinabe government has taken a significant step in improving the digital infrastructure of its educational system. On Friday, June 14, nine out of ten higher education and research institutions (IESR) were connected to high-speed Internet. This project, costing 3.8 billion CFA francs (6.2 million USD), was funded by the World Bank and implemented with the technical assistance of mobile operator Orange Burkina Faso.
The launch of this initiative follows a meeting between President Ibrahim Traoré and the academic community in January 2023. During this meeting, various issues affecting Burkinabe universities and the educational system were discussed. President Traoré tasked Adjima Thiombiano, the Minister of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, with finding solutions to provide the country’s IESR with high-speed Internet connectivity.
The main objective of this project is to enhance the quality of education and research in Burkina Faso by facilitating access to digital resources and online learning platforms. With a fast and reliable Internet connection, students and researchers will be able to access a vast amount of information and knowledge, participate in virtual conferences, and collaborate more easily with their counterparts worldwide.
The 3.8 billion CFA francs funding was secured by the World Bank, highlighting the importance of international cooperation in developing educational infrastructure in Burkina Faso. Orange Burkina Faso provided its technical expertise for the project, ensuring efficient and swift implementation.
