ABDI hosts forum on IPv4 to IPv6 migration, Minister stresses benefits for Burkina Faso’s digital future
The Burkina Faso Internet Association (ABDI) recently organized a forum on April 12th, bringing together key stakeholders in the digital sector, including Aminata Zerbo, the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications. The forum aimed to discuss the challenges and opportunities of transitioning from IPv4 to IPv6 in Burkina Faso.
Minister Zerbo highlighted the profound impact of Internet development on daily life, emphasizing the critical role of the Internet Protocol (IP) in facilitating communication and addressing objects online.
She noted that while IPv4, the current protocol, has been in use, it has faced limitations since 2011, with a capacity of only 4.3 billion unique IP addresses compared to IPv6’s 340 trillion trillion addresses.
The transition to IPv6 becomes crucial given the increasing demand for IP addresses due to traditional Internet subscribers and the rise of connected devices.
Zerbo mentioned that there are approximately 20 billion connected devices globally.
Isaïe Toé, the Executive Secretary of ABDI, emphasized that IPv6 migration would enhance Internet connectivity, improve security layers, and enable better traceability of online activities to combat cybercrime effectively.
The IPv6 transition in Burkina Faso is expected to boost the Internet market and promote wider adoption of technology.
Data Reportal statistics indicate that Burkina Faso had 4.7 million Internet users with a penetration rate of 19.9% at the beginning of 2024, highlighting the country’s growing digital presence.
