Burkina Faso has doubled its budget for digital development in 2026, allocating 61 billion CFA francs ($109.4 million), up from about 30.4 billion CFA francs in 2025, reports Ecofin, a specialized African economic news platform.

The budget, it said, was approved by the Ministry of Digital Transition during a recent administrative council meeting, to implement a lan that includes 156 activities aimed at expanding digital access nationwide.

Key projects include laying 270 kilometers of optical fiber, extending mobile and high-speed internet to 750 “white zones” with no network coverage, and setting up mini data centers. The government also plans to digitize 100 public services and build citizen service centers.

In 2025, the ministry expanded the national fiber network to more than 11,000 kilometers and connected dozens of public buildings. It also rolled out digital platforms in government offices, trained young people in IT skills, recruited new specialists, and launched local service centers to improve access to postal and digital services.

The budget increase reflects the government’s ambition to use digital technology to drive development in public administration, education, health, trade and agriculture. Officials say twelve priority digital projects have been identified to support economic and social growth through 2030.

Despite these efforts, Burkina Faso still faces major challenges, according to the news outlet. Internet penetration stood at just 17% in 2023, while the country ranks near the bottom globally on the UN’s e-government index. Large gaps remain in network coverage, cybersecurity skills and technical capacity, especially in rural areas.