Telecom

Burkina Faso to Connect 1,000 Remote Areas by 2027

Burkina Faso to Connect 1,000 Remote Areas by 2027
Monday, 02 September 2024 12:52

Burkina Faso revealed a plan to bring mobile and Internet services to 1,000 remote areas, known as "white zones," over the next three years. These are regions currently without access to telephony and Internet services. The plan was announced on August 27 by Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, during the "Tribune de Redevabilité" program on the public broadcaster Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Burkina (RTB).

“These are areas where operators are not required to invest. These zones are not included in their contracts because they are not very profitable. To ensure no one is left out, the government has taken it upon itself to invest and build the necessary infrastructure so that these areas are also covered, allowing the people there to access these services,” she explained.

According to the official, 1,700 white zones have been identified in the country, with 183 already connected in 2022. The government invested CFA6.2 billion (around $10.47 million) through the Universal Access and Service Fund (FASU) to make this possible.

This initiative aligns with the government's goal to extend telecommunications coverage, considering these services a right for the population. As per the minister's data, mobile service coverage in Burkina Faso stands at 85%, while 3G Internet covers 64% of the country, and 4G Internet covers 46%.

The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (ARCEP) in Burkina Faso reported 27.26 million mobile subscriptions (SIM cards) as of March 31, 2024, with a penetration rate of 116.45%. The total number of mobile Internet subscriptions is 18.67 million, covering 79.78% of the population.

On the same topic
Government launches satellite program to reach underserved and remote areas Goal is to connect one million people to the Internet by the end of...
Mauritania launches e-health initiatives, including a national vaccination database and the E-CNAM platform for digital insurance and...
CAMTEL signs a three-year deal with Ethio Telecom to support digital modernisation and prepare the launch of its Blue Money service. The...
The African Development Bank has greenlit a second-phase loan to support Cabo Verde’s E-Governance and Public Financial Management Reform...
Most Read
01

Camtel to launch Blue Money in 2026, entering Cameroon’s crowded mobile money market led by MTN Mo...

Cameroon: State Owned Telecommunication Company To Enter Mobile Money Market
02

Kossi Ténou succeeds Badanam Patoki as president of the AMF-UMOA. Ténou brings over 20 years of e...

Togo’s Kossi Ténou Appointed President of AMF-UMOA
03

BYD plans to open 35 dealerships in South Africa by Q1 2026, earlier than initially scheduled...

South Africa: BYD Targets 35 Dealerships by End-March 2026
04

The government will apply a 15% tax on all payments to foreign digital platforms starting Jan. 1...

Zimbabwe to Impose 15% Tax on Foreign Digital Services From 2026
05

Francophone Sub-Saharan Africa hosts 860+ startups but faces deep structural weaknesses EY urges...

Major Tech Reforms Needed for Francophone SSA to Attract More Investment, Report Says
Enter your email to receive our newsletter

Ecofin Agency provides daily coverage of nine key African economic sectors: public management, finance, telecoms, agribusiness, mining, energy, transport, communication, and education.
It also designs and manages specialized media, both online and print, for African institutions and publishers.

SALES & ADVERTISING

regie@agenceecofin.com 
Tél: +41 22 301 96 11 
Mob: +41 78 699 13 72


EDITORIAL
redaction@agenceecofin.com

More information
Team
Publisher

ECOFIN AGENCY

Mediamania Sarl
Rue du Léman, 6
1201 Geneva
Switzerland

 

Ecofin Agency is a sector-focused economic news agency, founded in December 2010. Its web platform was launched in June 2011. ©Mediamania.

 
 

Please publish modules in offcanvas position.