The Burkinabé government has presented a national roadmap for artificial intelligence (AI) development, covering the period 2026-2030. The roadmap, with a budget of 30 billion FCFA, aims to create 5,000 specialized jobs, train 500 experts, and develop 23 experimental AI solutions in various sectors. The initiative was presented by Dr. Yaya Traoré, Secretary Permanent of Innovation and Monitoring of Emerging Digital Technologies.
The roadmap is part of the 12 digital transition projects by 2030, specifically the 11th project dedicated to AI for all Burkinabé people. It aligns with the priorities of the RELANCE plan and the National Strategy for the Development of the Digital Economy (SNADEN). The goal is to establish a sovereign, inclusive, responsible, and competitive AI ecosystem. The roadmap was validated on June 19, 2026, after ten months of work and consultations.
To achieve this ambition, the government will allocate 30 billion FCFA over five years, distributed across five intervention areas. The largest share, 10.5 billion FCFA (35%), will go towards developing and experimenting with AI solutions. Infrastructure and data preparation will each receive 6 billion FCFA (20%), while training and skills development will get 4.5 billion FCFA (15%). Governance and coordination will receive 3 billion FCFA (10%).
Dr. Traoré acknowledges that the budget may seem modest compared to the ambitions, but it provides a foundation for gradually implementing priority actions. The roadmap includes training at least 500 AI experts and 140 community leaders, with the goal of creating 5,000 specialized jobs by 2030. The approach focuses on concrete applications of AI to address problems identified in national development policies.
The roadmap features 23 proof-of-concept projects, or experimental solutions, to demonstrate the feasibility of technological applications. These projects address four major challenges: security and social cohesion, public governance, human capital development, and infrastructure. Examples include tools to detect hate content and manipulated videos, as well as applications to detect anomalies in public markets.
The sectors of health, education, agriculture, water, energy, and public works are among those that will benefit from these innovations. The government also aims to develop AI models that can understand and process national languages, starting with Mooré, Dioula, and Fulfuldé. Agreements have been signed with the Radiodiffusion Télévision du Burkina (RTB) to collect linguistic data necessary for developing these models.
The Burkinabé government aims to make AI a lever for economic and social transformation while strengthening the country's digital sovereignty. The roadmap's implementation will be crucial in achieving these goals and promoting the development of AI in Burkina Faso.
Key points
- The Burkinabé government has launched a 30 billion FCFA roadmap to develop artificial intelligence, aiming to create 5,000 specialized jobs by 2030.
- The roadmap includes training at least 500 AI experts and 140 community leaders.
- The approach focuses on concrete applications of AI to address problems identified in national development policies.
