03 October 2024

Burkina Faso is planning to extend mobile and internet services to 1,000 remote areas over the next three years. These areas, known as ‘white zones,’ are regions without access to telephony and internet services.

Currently, operators are not obliged to invest in these areas as they are not profitable. Public money will be used to invest in and build out the infrastructure required for people to access connectivity.

Aminata Zerbo-Sabane, Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, said that 1,700 white zones have been identified in the country, with 183 already connected in 2022. The government has invested CFA6.2 billion through the country’s Universal Access and Service Fund (FASU) to make this possible.

Mobile service coverage in Burkina Faso stands at 85%, while 3G internet covers 64% of the country, and 4G internet covers 46%.