The Burkinabé government recently celebrated the country's top female scientific talents at the first edition of the Hakili Mousso 2026 competition. The event, held in Ouagadougou, was presided over by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, representing President Ibrahim Traoré. The competition aimed to promote female scientific excellence and encourage young girls to pursue careers in science.
The Hakili Mousso competition was open to female high school graduates aged 21 and under, with a minimum average grade requirement. The competition consisted of three disciplines: mathematics, physics, and chemistry. After a regional selection process, 84 candidates participated in the final phase in Ouagadougou. The top five candidates in each discipline received prizes, including cash awards ranging from 500,000 to 2 million FCFA, motorcycles, computers, and scholarships.
The winners of the competition were announced during the ceremony. In chemistry, Inès Nikiema ranked first with 18.73/20, followed by Nicole Yaméogo with 18.38/20, and Aminata Traoré with 17.69/20. In physics, Aminata Traoré took first place with 15/20, followed by Goumbri H. Jessica with 14.50/20, and Ella Esther Ouattara with 13.75/20. In mathematics, Adjaratou Bama ranked first with 14.25/20, followed by Tapsoba Fadia with 12.63/20, and Awa Onadja with 12.50/20.
Prime Minister Ouédraogo emphasized that Hakili Mousso is a platform to promote and value female scientific talents, and to challenge prejudices that discourage girls from pursuing scientific careers. He encouraged the girls to continue pursuing scientific disciplines, highlighting their crucial role in addressing Burkina Faso's challenges and strengthening its sovereignty. The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of teachers and parents in supporting young girls in their scientific endeavors.
Minister-Conseiller special du President du Faso, Floriane Zongo, noted that despite progress, girls remain underrepresented in scientific fields. According to data from the relevant ministries, girls made up 36.7% of students in scientific fields in 2025-2026, compared to 59.5% in non-scientific fields. She presented Hakili Mousso as a response to this underrepresentation, aiming to encourage young girls to pursue scientific interests and contribute to the country's development.
The competition's organizers also recognized the teachers who mentored the winning students. Nicole Yaméogo, one of the winners, praised the quality of the support and accompaniment provided to the candidates, describing the competition as an unforgettable human and intellectual experience. The winners pledged to become ambassadors for science and use their skills to serve Burkina Faso.
The Hakili Mousso 2026 competition is part of the Burkinabé government's efforts to promote female scientific excellence and encourage girls to pursue careers in science. The event concluded with a call to action for future candidates to work hard and follow in the footsteps of the winners.
Key points
- The competition awarded prizes to the top five candidates in each of three disciplines: mathematics, physics, and chemistry.
- The event aimed to promote female scientific excellence and encourage young girls to pursue careers in science.
- Girls remain underrepresented in scientific fields in Burkina Faso, making up only 36.7% of students in scientific fields in 2025-2026.
