The Burkinabé government has recognized the commune of Koudougou as the top-performing local authority in the country. The award was given by the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility as part of the Programme d'appui à la décentralisation et à la participation citoyenne (DEPAC). The ceremony took place on October 28, 2026, in Ouagadougou. The commune of Koudougou achieved a performance score of 91.35%.
The evaluation process was based on three key principles: excellence, categorical fairness, and recognition of participation over three consecutive years. According to Laurent Sawadogo, president of the reward committee, the assessment revealed a decline in scores for most communes due to the introduction of a more rigorous digital proof system using the Kobo platform. This platform helped to expose weaknesses that were previously undetected.
The commune of Koudougou received a trophy, a certificate, and a financial envelope of 13.5 million F CFA. The commune of Kordié ranked second with a performance score of 88.88%, followed by Diapangou with 76.54%, and Fada with 68.05%. In the regional category, the Nando region came out on top, earning 15 million F CFA, a trophy, and a certificate.
The sectoral analysis revealed that local public works mastery recorded good results, while local economic development remains a significant challenge. To address these issues, the evaluation team recommended prioritizing support for local authorities, particularly those with declining performance, as part of triennial capacity-building plans.
The team also suggested consolidating the use of the Kobo tool and improving the relevance of field indicators. These measures aim to correct the shortcomings of the process, meet the aspirations of the populations, and promote inclusive local socio-economic development.
Saïdou Sankara, Secretary General of the Ministry of Territorial Administration and Mobility, congratulated the winning communes and encouraged others to strive for excellence. Loukoumani Aouba, Secretary General of the commune of Koudougou, expressed gratitude to the ministry and pledged to maintain the commune's top position in the coming years.
The recognition of top-performing local authorities aims to promote emulation and improve local governance. The Burkinabé government hopes that this initiative will encourage local authorities to work towards better service delivery and improve the lives of citizens.
Key points
- The commune of Koudougou achieved a performance score of 91.35%.
- The evaluation process was based on excellence, categorical fairness, and recognition of participation.
- Local economic development remains a significant challenge for Burkinabé local authorities.
