AGP Executive Report

Climate Research: Scientists are combining local knowledge and nature-based solutions to address annual flooding downstream of Burkina Faso’s Bagré Dam. Burkina Faso’s Naturama is also part of a research project warning that wetlands face worsening heat, floods and erratic rainfall. Technology Policy: Burkina Faso is among four countries completing technology-needs assessments with the UN Technology Bank, which is urging more support to turn priorities into practical projects, including digitalisation and AI for climate-smart agriculture. Mining Technology: West African Resources produced a record 127,950 ounces of gold from its Sanbrado and Kiaka mines in Burkina Faso in the September quarter and has begun development of an underground extension at Sanbrado. Digital Services: Burkina Faso’s push to build a digital state is drawing criticism over whether technology investment is keeping pace with urgent needs in security and education.

Technology Capacity: The UN Technology Bank is calling for more support to turn technology plans into practical projects. Burkina Faso is among four countries completing a Technology Needs Assessment, as the bank expands work in AI policy, cybersecurity and digital transformation. Regional Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have activated a trans-Saharan fibre link, part of a backbone planned to reach Mali and other Sahel countries. The project promises better access to international bandwidth, but protecting the infrastructure will be a challenge. Science and Sovereignty: Burkina Faso’s shutdown of a Gates-funded mosquito experiment has stirred debate over research and national control. Digital State: Coverage of Burkina Faso’s digital push raises concerns that technology plans may be advancing without enough attention to security and schooling.

Mining Technology: West African Resources produced a record 127,950 ounces of gold at its Burkina Faso mines in the September quarter. The government also approved an underground extension at Sanbrado, with development now underway. Sahel Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have activated a cross-border fibre link, a step toward a wider regional digital corridor. A separate Vertiv-Cybastion partnership names Burkina Faso among six markets targeted for digital infrastructure projects. Digital Policy: Burkina Faso’s digital-state drive faces criticism that security and schooling are being neglected. Research Sovereignty: Burkina Faso’s shutdown of a Gates-funded mosquito experiment has renewed debate over national control of scientific research.

Sahel Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have activated a cross-border fibre link, opening a new route to international bandwidth. The wider backbone is intended to reach other Sahel countries, though security and infrastructure protection remain challenges. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion are exploring projects in Burkina Faso and five other African markets, aiming to support data centres and other critical digital systems. Digital Access: Burkina Faso’s push to move public services online faces a stark gap: internet access and 4G coverage remain limited, raising concerns that digital services may leave much of the population behind. Health Research: A new study finds antimalarial drugs can persist in mosquitoes after blood meals, prompting further research into possible effects on malaria parasites.

Sahel Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have switched on a cross-border fibre link, improving access to international bandwidth and potentially reducing digital dependence. Protecting the cable in a conflict-affected region remains a challenge. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion plan to work on government-led digital projects in Burkina Faso and five other African markets, combining data-centre expertise with local partnerships. Digital Access: Critics say Burkina Faso’s online public services are out of reach for many: internet access remains limited, 4G is concentrated in cities, and digital health-insurance registration has reached only a small share of the population. Research Sovereignty: Burkina Faso’s shutdown of a Gates-funded mosquito experiment has renewed debate over scientific research, public consent and national control of health studies.

Digital Access: Burkina Faso’s push to put public services online is drawing criticism: internet penetration remains below 20%, 4G is concentrated in cities, and digital health-insurance registration reaches only about 1.3% of the population. Sahel Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have launched a trans-Saharan fiber link, promising better access to international bandwidth and less digital dependence, though insecurity threatens the infrastructure. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion plan to pursue technology projects across Northwest Africa, including Burkina Faso, combining data-centre expertise with experience in government digital programmes. Health Research: A study involving researchers in Burkina Faso found that an antimalarial drug can persist in mosquitoes after a blood meal; scientists are now investigating whether this affects malaria parasites or drug resistance. Science and Sovereignty: Burkina Faso’s shutdown of a Gates-funded mosquito experiment has reignited debate over research oversight and national control of science.

Sahel Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have switched on a trans-Saharan fibre link at Assamaka, opening a route to international bandwidth and potential operator revenue. Extending the network could strengthen regional connections, but insecurity threatens the infrastructure. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion plan to pursue major digital projects in Burkina Faso and five other African markets, combining data-centre expertise with experience in government-led programmes. Digital Access: Burkina Faso’s online public services face a reach problem: internet access remains limited, 4G coverage is concentrated in cities, and online health-insurance registration reportedly reaches just 1.3% of the population. Malaria Research: A Yale-led team working in Burkina Faso found that a long-acting antimalarial can persist in mosquitoes after a blood meal. Researchers are now investigating whether this exposure affects malaria parasites or drug resistance. Science and Sovereignty: Burkina Faso’s shutdown of a Gates-funded mosquito experiment has reignited debate over research, public consent and national control of science.

Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion plan to explore data-centre and other digital infrastructure projects in Burkina Faso and five other African markets, pairing Vertiv’s technical expertise with Cybastion’s government contacts. Digital Public Services: Burkina Faso’s online government services are drawing criticism over limited access: internet penetration is reported at just over 20%, while digital health-insurance registration reaches about 1.3% of the population. Malaria Research: A Yale-led study, with research underway in Burkina Faso, found that an antimalarial drug can circulate inside mosquitoes for days. Scientists are now investigating whether this exposure affects malaria parasites or drug resistance. Regional Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have inaugurated a cross-border fibre-optic link, part of a wider backbone envisioned to connect several Sahel countries. Its security and broader regional impact remain open questions.

Mining Technology: Modular, containerised emulsion plants could give remote West African mines a safer, more reliable on-site explosives supply while cutting hazardous transport. Regional Connectivity: Algeria and Niger have switched on a trans-Saharan fibre link, opening access to international bandwidth and a planned route connecting several Sahel countries; security remains a challenge. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv and Cybastion plan to pursue data-centre and other digital infrastructure projects in Burkina Faso and five nearby markets. Digital Access: Burkina Faso’s online public services face a stark reach gap: internet use remains below 20%, while digital health-insurance enrolment is reported at just 1.3%. Science and Health: Researchers working in Burkina Faso are studying whether antimalarial drugs taken up by mosquitoes affect malaria parasites or drug resistance. Research Capacity: A new report on West Africa’s STEM crisis points to shortages of investment, teachers and laboratories, while Burkina Faso’s shutdown of a foreign-funded mosquito project has renewed debate over research sovereignty.

Digital Governance in Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou’s “Allée des services au peuple” spotlights e-criminal records, e-nationality certificates and digital Universal Health Insurance, but critics say low internet access and limited 4G coverage mean most people can’t actually use these services. Public Health Research: A Yale study reports that long-acting antimalarial drugs can be absorbed by mosquitoes after blood meals, potentially exposing malaria parasites during development—work underway in Burkina Faso. Digital Infrastructure Deal: Vertiv and Cybastion signed an MoU to accelerate critical digital infrastructure across Northwest Africa, explicitly including Burkina Faso, by pairing data-centre expertise with government digital-transformation networks. Science Sovereignty: Burkina Faso shut down a Gates-funded genetically modified mosquito program after a raid on the IRSS research institute, framing the move as national sovereignty over foreign-funded science. Regional Health Gains: The Ouagadougou Partnership marks 15 years since launching in Burkina Faso, citing progress in family planning and SRHR across nine West African countries. Finance Policy in UEMOA: BCEAO made PI-SPI mandatory from November 2 and revised fees, aiming to improve service quality and enable new uses of instant payments across UEMOA.

Climate Finance Gap: Africa needs about US$310–365B a year for climate adaptation by 2035, but international public adaptation finance was only US$26B in 2023—so households increasingly lean on remittances when droughts and floods hit. Digital Governance Backlash (Burkina Faso): Ouagadougou’s “digital state” push—online criminal records, e-nationality certificates, and AMU health insurance digitisation—faces criticism as internet and 4G access remain limited, with online AMU uptake reported around 1.3%. Digital Infrastructure Deal: Vertiv signed an MoU with Cybastion to accelerate critical digital infrastructure across Northwest Africa, including Burkina Faso, aiming to plug power/cooling solutions into broader national digitalisation programmes. Health Research in Focus: A study involving Burkina Faso researchers finds long-acting antimalarials can be absorbed into mosquitoes’ bodies and persist, potentially exposing malaria parasites and raising questions about drug resistance. Science Sovereignty: Burkina Faso shut down a Gates-funded Target Malaria genetically modified mosquito programme, citing national interests after police raids on the research institute. Regional Tech & Finance: BCEAO makes PI-SPI mandatory for interoperable electronic money transactions across UEMOA from Nov 2 and revises fees, aiming to improve service quality and enable new uses. STEM Pipeline Worry: West Africa faces declining interest in science and shortages of teachers and labs, threatening future engineering and research capacity.

Burkina Faso Science & Sovereignty: Burkina Faso shut down a long-running Target Malaria mosquito project funded by the Gates Foundation, after a raid on the IRSS research institute and a government decision framed as protecting national interests. Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv signed an MoU with U.S. firm Cybastion to accelerate critical digital infrastructure across Northwest Africa, explicitly including Burkina Faso among priority markets. Health & Family Planning: The Ouagadougou Partnership marks 15 years of gains in SRHR and family planning across nine West African countries, citing millions of unintended pregnancies and unsafe abortions averted. Education & STEM Pipeline: A regional report highlights declining interest in science across West Africa, with Burkina Faso named among countries facing shortages of teachers, labs, and student uptake in science tracks. Mining & Local Value: Burkina Faso opened Raffinor-BF, its first gold refinery in Ouagadougou, aiming to process and certify gold domestically to keep more value in-country. Human-Centered Tech & Inclusion: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf dancers use Vibra-Signe to “read” music through floor vibrations and gestures, gaining visibility through performances at regional and international events.

Digital Infrastructure: Vertiv signed an MoU with U.S. firm Cybastion to speed up end-to-end digital infrastructure projects across Northwest Africa, including Burkina Faso. Payments & Fintech: BCEAO made PI-SPI mandatory from November 2, cut fees for many local transactions, and explicitly set goals to improve service quality and enable new financial uses. Science Policy & Sovereignty: Burkina Faso shut down a Bill Gates-funded mosquito experiment, arguing it was a sovereignty issue after foreign-funded research was halted by authorities. Mining & Tech Capacity: Burkina Faso opened Raffinor-BF, its first state gold refinery in Ouagadougou, aiming to process, assay, trace, and certify gold locally. STEM Skills Pipeline: A regional report warns that fewer students are choosing science tracks across West Africa, with Burkina Faso named among countries seeing declining interest. Inclusion Tech in Culture: Bobo-Dioulasso’s Vibra-Signe helps deaf dancers follow music through floor vibrations and gestures, gaining recognition beyond Burkina Faso. Education Reform (Regional): Nigeria’s JAMB announced reforms for UTME from 2027, adding critical thinking and life skills.

BCEAO Payments Upgrade: The West African central bank made PI-SPI mandatory from Nov. 2 for interoperable e-money transfers across UEMOA, cut fees for many local transactions to free (up to 8,000 CFA/day per user), and explicitly added a goal to “promote the emergence of new uses,” with cross-border fee changes starting June 1, 2027. Science & Sovereignty: Burkina Faso shut down a Bill Gates-funded Target Malaria genetically modified mosquito project after a raid on the IRSS research institute, framing the move as protecting national interests. Gold Processing at Home: Burkina Faso inaugurated Raffinor-BF, its first state-backed gold refinery in Ouagadougou, aiming to process, assay, certify, and value gold domestically instead of exporting it for refining. STEM Pressure: A regional report highlights a shrinking pipeline for science in West Africa, with Burkina Faso named among countries seeing declining student interest in science tracks. Disability Tech in Culture: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf dancers are using Vibra-Signe—following music through floor vibrations, touch, and visual cues—turning an accessibility method into a growing cultural export. Education & Health: Coverage also flags the midwife shortage and the broader challenge of female infertility linked to infections like chlamydia.

Ethical Finance & Diaspora Investment: The Ethical Finance Forum Geneva 2026 opens Oct. 5 in Geneva, bringing African sovereign issuers, European Islamic finance players, and diaspora representatives together to channel ethical savings into investment in Africa. Science Sovereignty: Burkina Faso shut down a Bill Gates-funded Target Malaria genetically modified mosquito project after a raid on the IRSS research institute, framing the move as national sovereignty over foreign-funded research. STEM Pressure in West Africa: A regional report highlights a shrinking pipeline for science and engineering, with Burkina Faso among countries seeing declining interest in STEM—linked to shortages of teachers and labs. Gold Value at Home: Burkina Faso inaugurated Raffinor-BF, a state-backed gold refinery in Ouagadougou aimed at processing, certifying, and valuing gold domestically instead of exporting it for refining. Disability Tech in Culture: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf dancers use Vibra-Signe—following music through floor vibrations and gestures—showing how accessible methods can turn art into empowerment. Payments Infrastructure: BCEAO published an updated list of 175 authorized institutions for interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI), with Burkina Faso listed among the active participants. Apple Music Expansion: Apple Music finally launched in Burkina Faso (and Pakistan, Albania, Brunei), extending the service to 172 regions.

STEM Education Decline: West Africa is seeing fewer students choose science tracks, with Ivory Coast reporting only 0.6% of baccalaureate candidates in 2022 on the elite maths-and-physics stream and class sizes shrinking to single digits in many schools—Burkina Faso is named among countries where interest is falling. Gold Processing & Sovereignty: Burkina Faso inaugurated Raffinor-BF in Ouagadougou (Sept 28, 2026), aiming to refine and certify gold at home with an initial 164 tonnes/year capacity and plans to scale up, supported by an analytical lab and secure storage. Digital Payments Expansion (BCEAO): BCEAO published the updated list of 175 authorized institutions for interoperable instant payments (PI-SPI), including 20 participants in Burkina Faso, extending access beyond traditional banks to fintech and microfinance. Disability Tech in Culture: In Bobo-Dioulasso, deaf dancers are using Vibra-Signe—following music through floor vibrations, touch, and visual cues—showing how low-tech methods can unlock participation. Tech Access Boost: Apple Music launched in Burkina Faso (plus Pakistan, Albania, Brunei) after an 11-year wait, expanding the service to more regions. Russia–Burkina Economic Links: A Russia–Burkina Faso business forum in Moscow pushed mining, energy, trade, and modular power plant ideas, with Burkina officials seeking practical cooperation steps.