23 December 2025
Burkina Faso has taken another significant step toward its goal of eliminating telecommunications “white zones” by 2027, as the Nakambe region recently hosted a regional exchange workshop focused on extending network coverage to underserved communities.
Held on 17 December 2025, the event is part of the national “Zero White Zone on the Horizon 2027” initiative spearheaded by the Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications (MTDPCE), through the General Directorate of Electronic Communications (DGCE).
The workshop was chaired by Saidou Ouedraogo, the High Commissioner of Koulpélogo Province, representing the Governor, and brought together a diverse group of participants including administrative officials, local authorities from Boulgou, Kouritenga, and Koulpélogo, as well as traditional and religious leaders. This inclusive approach aimed to ensure broad community involvement in the project’s implementation.
During the nearly five-hour session, officials and stakeholders received updates on the national effort to connect 750 rural localities to telecommunications networks. Presentations delivered by the Director General of Electronic Communications, Nongobzanga Zongo, along with senior officials from the ministry, ARCEP, and telecom operators, addressed critical topics such as criteria for selecting localities, infrastructure deployment strategies, security considerations, land access, and the respective roles of government, service providers, and local communities.
The High Commissioner of Koulpélogo expressed strong support for the initiative, highlighting that it will enable 61 rural towns in the Nakambe region to access reliable electronic communication services. He emphasized that the project is essential for bridging the digital divide, fostering rural development, and enhancing the socio-economic resilience of local communities.
The workshop also served as a platform for local stakeholders to voice concerns, clarify their responsibilities, and discuss community involvement. These exchanges culminated in a set of recommendations and a collective commitment by all participants to ensure the successful and sustainable rollout of the network expansion. This initiative aligns with Burkina Faso’s broader national objective of providing equitable access to digital services across the country and achieving zero telecommunications white zones by 2027.
