The Burkinabe government launched high-speed Internet connection on Friday June 14, 2024 for nine out of ten higher education and research institutions. This project, financed to the tune of 3.8 billion CFA francs by the World Bank and carried out with technical assistance from Orange Burkina-Faso, includes the installation of wifi equipment in the nine IESRs as well as the connection in very broadband to 174 buildings via optical fiber.
This project follows a January 2023 presidential initiative aimed at solving persistent challenges in Burkina Faso’s universities and education system. Nafy Silué Coulibaly, general manager of Orange, specified that the support consisted of providing the ministry responsible for higher education with IT equipment, particularly wifi equipment, and connecting the different buildings with very high speed via connectivity. fiber. She also indicated that 29 engineers were trained to monitor and maintain the system, thus guaranteeing the sustainability of the project.
Adjima Thiombiano, Minister of Higher Education, Research and Innovation, mentioned that the introduction of high-speed Internet in public universities should promote the development of e-learning by facilitating the access to online educational resources, strengthen students’ digital skills, stimulate innovation and promote creativity.
This initiative is part of the digitalization dynamic driven by the Burkinabe government, aiming to transform society and promote socioeconomic development through increased use of digital technology. However, the country still needs to generalize Internet access across all levels of society, including homes, administrations, hospitals and schools.
