Burkina Faso is stepping up efforts to modernise its public administration by seeking partnerships with foreign technology investors, as authorities look to accelerate the digitisation of public services and address long-standing technological and financial constraints.
On Wednesday, January 14, the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, received a delegation from Egyptian technology group MAG Trade & Investment, which presented a series of digital projects aimed at supporting Burkina Faso’s public-sector digital transformation. The meeting forms part of the government’s broader strategy to attract international expertise and investment into priority sectors of the digital economy.
According to information released by the ministry, discussions focused on digital solutions for the health sector and the development of digital identity systems. These areas are considered strategic by the authorities, as Burkina Faso has for several years committed to modernising public administration, improving access to public services and enhancing the efficiency of government operations.
Digital health solutions are viewed as a key tool for strengthening the management of healthcare systems and improving service delivery, particularly in remote and underserved areas. Authorities believe that the introduction of digital platforms for patient records, health data management and service coordination could help reduce inefficiencies and improve outcomes, even in a context of limited resources.
Digital identity systems were also central to the talks. Officials see digital identification as a foundational component of public-sector reform, enabling citizens to access a wide range of public services securely and efficiently. Such systems are expected to support administrative simplification, reduce fraud, improve data reliability and facilitate interoperability between public information systems.
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MAG Trade & Investment, accompanied by representatives of Burkina Faso’s National Bureau of Major Projects (BN-GPB), said it was seeking a form of cooperation based on skills transfer, local capacity building and the deployment of sustainable digital solutions. The Egyptian group said its approach focused on supporting the structuring and implementation of projects aligned with Burkina Faso’s national digital development strategy, rather than simply supplying technology.
The discussions come at a time when Burkina Faso is working to strengthen its digital ecosystem amid a series of ongoing reforms. These include the digitisation of administrative procedures, the interconnection of public-sector information systems and efforts to improve the security and protection of user data. Authorities acknowledge that progress has been uneven and that capacity constraints remain a major challenge.
Officials have highlighted digital identity as a particularly powerful lever for improving the effectiveness of public action. By providing a secure and reliable means of identifying users across multiple platforms, digital identity systems can help streamline access to public services, reduce duplication and support digital inclusion for populations that have traditionally been excluded from formal administrative processes.
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The government has also stressed the importance of opening the digital sector to foreign investors and technology operators. Authorities argue that international partnerships can help bridge gaps in financing and technical expertise, while also strengthening national capabilities through knowledge transfer and training of local professionals.
Minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane welcomed the interest shown by MAG Trade & Investment, saying the initiative was in line with the government’s vision to accelerate digital transformation and make digital technology a central pillar of public-sector modernisation and economic development.
At this stage, no agreements or memoranda of understanding have been announced. Officials said discussions remain at an exploratory level and will require further technical evaluations and alignment with national priorities before any formal partnerships are concluded.
Nevertheless, the talks underscore Burkina Faso’s determination to move forward with its digital transformation agenda, despite budgetary constraints and broader economic challenges. As the government continues to position digital technology as a driver of administrative efficiency, transparency and inclusive growth, partnerships with experienced foreign technology firms are expected to play an increasingly important role in turning policy objectives into operational systems that improve public service delivery across the country.
