The governments of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are taking concrete steps towards digital integration. From November 3 to 5, 2026, experts from the three countries gathered in Ouagadougou to finalize technical and operational documents. These documents will lead to cooperation agreements in digital, postal, and electronic communication sectors. The priorities include sharing digital infrastructure, reducing internet access costs, protecting digital infrastructure, and improving postal services.
The three countries, members of the Sahel States Confederation (AES), are working on five major projects to achieve their digital integration ambitions. These projects focus on interconnecting and sharing digital infrastructure, developing a regional hub for satellite operators, and acquiring Internet bandwidth capacity collectively. The experts are also working on establishing a regional incident response system and modernizing postal services.
The opening ceremony of the meeting was co-chaired by the ministers responsible for digital affairs in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The ceremony reflected the three governments' commitment to advancing digital integration and cooperation. Burkina Faso's Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabané, emphasized the importance of this consultation in operationalizing community commitments.
Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabané urged participants to be fully engaged in the discussions, stressing that the task requires rigor, creativity, and a spirit of fraternity. The goal is to produce documents that are directly exploitable, including draft agreements, conceptual notes, architecture diagrams, and execution schedules. These documents will form the basis of cooperation conventions to be signed during the Digital Week in Burkina Faso from November 24 to 27, 2026.
The digital integration process aims to address common concerns, such as improving connectivity, making internet access more affordable, and strengthening digital infrastructure protection. The finalization of the documents and their transformation into conventions represent a crucial step in sectoral cooperation within the AES. The challenge for the three countries is now to translate their common political will into operational agreements and measurable actions.
The cooperation between Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger in the digital sector is expected to have a positive impact on the lives of citizens. By improving connectivity and making internet access more affordable, the three countries aim to promote economic growth, education, and healthcare. The modernization of postal services will also help to bring services closer to the population.
The meeting in Ouagadougou marks a significant step towards achieving the digital integration goals of the AES. The three countries have demonstrated their commitment to cooperation and are working towards a common objective. The outcome of the meeting will be crucial in determining the success of their digital integration efforts.
Key points
- The three countries are working on five major projects to achieve digital integration, including interconnecting and sharing digital infrastructure, developing a regional hub for satellite operators, and acquiring Internet bandwidth capacity collectively.
