• Burkina Faso will require all IT technical certification applications to be submitted online starting April 1.

• The reform eliminates physical submissions and aims to streamline administrative procedures.

• Authorities have developed 67 digital public service platforms, with 5 already operational.

The government of Burkina Faso has announced that all applications for IT technical certification (ATI) will be submitted exclusively online starting Wednesday, April 1. 

Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications made the announcement on Monday, March 16. Therefore, authorities will end the acceptance of physical application files and shift the procedure to a fully digital system. This decision marks a transition toward fully digital processing for a key administrative procedure.

The ATI serves as a critical document for companies operating in the IT sector. It certifies technical capabilities and, in some cases, determines eligibility for public procurement contracts. By centralizing applications through a digital platform, authorities aim to simplify procedures and improve processing efficiency.

Companies and professionals must now submit both new applications and renewals through a dedicated online system. This dematerialization aims to reduce processing times, limit physical travel, and strengthen administrative traceability. As a result, authorities expect to improve service delivery and operational efficiency.

The reform forms part of a broader public administration modernization strategy in Burkina Faso. In recent years, the country has increased investment in digital transformation, in line with broader trends across Africa. Authorities have identified the dematerialization of public services as a central pillar of this strategy.

In March 2025, the ministry reported progress on digitalization efforts. It stated that institutions have developed 67 digital platforms, including 5 currently operational and 62 under implementation. Therefore, authorities aim to modernize public administration and improve service quality.

However, the success of this transition will depend on several factors. Authorities must ensure effective platform accessibility and user adoption of digital tools. They must also maintain the performance and reliability of deployed systems. Therefore, execution will remain critical to achieving the intended efficiency gains.

This article was initially published in French by Adoni Conrad Quenum

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum