Despite its potential, e-Burkina Faso finds itself in the midst of a digital landscape characterized by middling scores across various indices.
As revealed by the latest UN e-government survey, e-Burkina Faso falls within the Middle EGDI group, indicating a moderate level of e-government development. Similarly, it resides within the Middle OSI, TII, and HCI groups, suggesting a balanced yet unremarkable performance in online service delivery, telecommunication infrastructure, and human capital investment, respectively.
However, what sets e-Burkina Faso apart (not in a good way) is its low EPI values, reflecting challenges in engaging citizens and promoting e-participation. This poses a critical obstacle in the nation’s quest to harness the full potential of digital governance.
What I believe is crucial to acknowledge is that E-Burkina Faso’s digital standing, while middling in comparison to global metrics, falls below the averages of its region (Africa) and sub-region (Western Africa). It’s a sobering reminder of the work that lies ahead – the bridges that need building, the barriers that need breaking.
E-Burkina Faso and the World Bank support
The government of Burkina Faso is getting a financial boost from the World Bank’s International Development Association (IDA) to ramp up its digital public infrastructure (DPI) efforts.
With this funding, the Burkinabé government aims to extend digital connectivity to reach more people, especially those in vulnerable situations like internally displaced persons (IDPs) and underserved communities.
Now, this infrastructure project isn’t just about plugging in more cables; it’s about making a real difference in people’s lives. By increasing broadband access, particularly in areas prone to climate shocks and hosting displaced populations, they’re addressing some critical needs.
It’s about bridging the digital divide and ensuring that everyone has access to essential services, regardless of their circumstances.
And it’s not just about connectivity, either; it’s also about developing digital public services. That’s bringing government services directly to people’s fingertips, making it easier for them to access what they need when they need it. Plus, by training public administration staff and empowering young people with digital skills, they’re investing in the future workforce. This way, e-Burkina Faso lays the groundwork for a more efficient and responsive governance system.
With initiatives like this, I’m hopeful that we’ll see real progress in closing the digital divide, not just in Burkina Faso but around the world.
Improved access to affordable connectivity but still low
In e-Burkina Faso, concerted efforts and strategic initiatives are paving the way for improved access and affordability.
Despite its geographical landlocked status, Burkina Faso has made significant progress in enhancing its connectivity through new regional network connections. This has resulted in a remarkable increase in available internet capacity and a notable uptick in broadband download speedin the continent from 2.68 Mbps in 2019 to 8.18 Mbps in 2022.
According to data from Ookla, Burkina Faso’s fixed internet connection speeds have seen a considerable increase, with the median speed reaching a decent 42.46 Mbps. However, it’s crucial to note the slight decrease in fixed internet speeds over the past year, signaling the need for continued investment and optimization efforts.
But perhaps what’s most heartening is the increasing number of internet users in Burkina Faso, which stood at 4.69 million in January 2024.
A total of 27.10 million cellular mobile connections were active in Burkina Faso in early 2024, with this figure equivalent to 115.1% of the total population.
While this represents a significant leap forward (compared to the year before), there’s still ample room for growth…. with internet penetration rates hovering around ONLY 19.9% of the total population.
What I like most about these developments is the tangible impact they’re having on people’s lives. Improved internet speeds and expanded mobile connectivity aren’t just numbers on a page; they’re opening doors to education, healthcare, and economic opportunities for millions of Burkinabé.
I want to add that while we’re seeing positive strides in digital connectivity, it’s essential to keep pushing forward. We need to continue investing in infrastructure, promoting digital literacy, and ensuring affordability to truly unlock the transformative power of the Internet for all citizens of Burkina Faso.
Final thoughts
Despite facing geographical challenges and infrastructure limitations, e-Burkina Faso has demonstrated remarkable progress in expanding digital access and connectivity.
Looking ahead, it’s essential to sustain this momentum through continued investment in infrastructure, digital literacy programs, and innovative solutions tailored to the needs of its own population. With each step forward (with huge help from international organizations), Burkina Faso inches closer to realizing its vision of a digitally inclusive and empowered society.
Sources:
https://publicadministration.un.org/egovkb/en-us/Data/Country-Information/id/27-Burkina-Faso
