• U.S. to launch digital and AI training programme in Burkina Faso

• Courses target youth skills at American Spaces in three cities

• Initiative supports rising demand for digital skills across Africa

The United States plans to launch a training program focused on digitalization and artificial intelligence (AI) in Burkina Faso in 2026, the Ministry of Digital Transition said on Tuesday, Jan. 27.

The ministry made the announcement after a meeting held on Wednesday, Jan. 21, between Minister Aminata Zerbo/Sabane and the U.S. ambassador to Ouagadougou, Joann M. Lockard.

The ambassador said the initiative aims to boost digital skills among young Burkinabè through training sessions scheduled to take place at American Spaces in Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso and Koudougou.

The program is expected to cover digital tools, emerging technologies and practical applications of artificial intelligence, with the goal of building local capacity.

The announcement comes amid ongoing digital cooperation between the two countries. In 2025, a consortium of American companies supported several activities during Burkina Faso’s Digital Week, reflecting Washington’s growing involvement in the development of the country’s technological ecosystem.

The initiative also comes as demand for digital skills continues to rise across Africa. The World Bank estimates that around 230 million jobs in Sub-Saharan Africa will require digital skills by 2030, making training a key driver of youth employability and economic competitiveness.

In Burkina Faso, the challenges are particularly acute. In 2023, 34% of Burkinabè youth were not in employment, education or training, according to the World Bank, as cited in an Afrobarometer report published in June 2025. The youth unemployment rate is estimated at 8.2%, highlighting persistent barriers to workforce integration.

In this context, strengthening digital skills is emerging as a priority for supporting the country’s economic transformation. If implemented, the planned collaboration with the United States could help expand professional opportunities for young people, encourage the development of new digital-related professions, and support the Burkinabè government’s strategy on digital sovereignty and human capital development.

Samira Njoya