Burkina Faso: Faso Mêbo – when the country offers lessons in development to Africa
Faso Mêbo, the flagship program of Burkina Faso for paving stone production and urban development, continues to draw admiration far beyond national borders. On an official visit to Ouagadougou, Burundian President General Évariste Ndayishimiye, also current Chairperson of the African Union, made a point of seeing firsthand this model that combines local development and active citizenship.
On Monday afternoon, April 20, the Burundian head of state visited the Faso Mêbo paving stone production site, followed by Thomas Sankara Boulevard, a symbol of urban rehabilitation through citizen engagement.
After the immersion, an impressed leader shared his testimony: “I want to express my joy at seeing the vision of the Comrade President of Burkina, who initiated this program. This program shows the unity among citizens. It is inspiring and also instructive.”
Far from being a mere protocol visit, this trip reflects a genuine desire for inspiration and exchange of best practices.
President Ndayishimiye noted that his country has a similar program called “community works for development,” through which schools, health centers, and even a stadium have been built.
Yet the Burkinabe model caught his attention for one particular aspect: its level of organization. “What inspires me is how well organized it is. I am very delighted and I encourage the Burkinabe people to move forward, because to have peace, you need to have common projects,” he said.
A governance lesson that resonates particularly in the Sahelian context, where social cohesion and community resilience are more necessary than ever.
Beyond words, a concrete commitment is taking shape. The Burundian president announced his intention to soon send a technical mission to Burkina Faso to thoroughly study the Faso Mêbo model. An African recognition confirming that local initiatives, when driven by a clear vision and citizen mobilization, can become continental benchmarks.
Faso Mêbo is no longer just a Burkinabe success story: it is now a source of inspiration for a forward-moving Africa.
Maurice K.ZONGO
