• Burkina Faso, Hungary sign higher education scholarship agreement
• Deal includes political consultations to deepen bilateral ties
• Partnership supports Burkina’s 2024–2028 education development strategy

Burkina Faso and Hungary have signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) in the higher education sector, state media reported on Saturday, Sept. 27, 2025.

The partnership focuses on providing Hungarian scholarships to Burkinabe students across various academic fields. The agreement was reached during talks between Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traoré and his Hungarian counterpart Péter Szijjártó on the sidelines of the 80th session of the United Nations General Assembly. Their discussions centered on consolidating the bilateral partnership.

Hungary had signaled, on Sept. 8, its intent to deepen cooperation with Ouagadougou in trade, water management, higher education, and defense, framing the approach as a mutually beneficial partnership.

In the education sector, Burkina Faso adopted the National Strategy for Higher Education Development (2024–2028) in 2024. The strategy aims to address numerous challenges facing the sector, including inadequate educational infrastructure and a deficit in human and financial resources.

The partnership also aligns with the country's commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) under the 2030 Agenda, one of which seeks to globally increase the number of scholarships available to developing countries.

Beyond the higher education agreement, Ouagadougou and Budapest also signed a separate MoU on political consultations to establish a permanent political dialogue between the two nations.

Lydie Mobio