The government of Burkina Faso, through the Minister of Public Service, Mathias Traoré, has unveiled significant reforms aimed at transforming the country's public service, labor, and social protection sectors. This was done during a conference at the SIAO government exhibition, which runs from October 2 to 9, 2026. The exhibition provides a platform for various ministries to showcase their innovations and interact with the public.
The creation of the Ministry of Public Service reflects the government's commitment to making public administration an institution that serves the people. Key reforms in the public service sector include the establishment of the General Inspection of Human Resources to enhance control and ensure the presence of public agents at work. Additionally, the reform of paid leave has reduced the number of paid days off from 15 to 11.
In the public service sector, 28,554 positions have been filled, with more expected when including recruitment by independent administrative authorities, state-owned companies, and local authorities. Furthermore, 73,712 civil servants have benefited from decentralized management acts, including promotion and step-up arrangements. The government has also decentralized the Civil Service Pension Fund (CARFO) in several locations.
Another significant reform is the implementation of class advancement for public servants, a measure that had been pending since 1998. This has benefited 42,224 public servants, including 39,067 active employees and 3,157 retirees. For retirees, the government has reconstructed their careers to enable them to access their entitled benefits.
In the labor sector, the adoption of the new Labor Code is a major reform, aiming to regulate placement activities, temporary work, and limit the renewal of fixed-term contracts. The minimum wage (SMIG) has been increased from 30,684 to 45,000 CFA francs. A collective agreement for private security companies has also been signed, affecting about 400 enterprises, with plans for its extension to the entire sector.
The government has made significant strides in social protection, particularly with the operationalization of the universal health insurance scheme, which began its first benefits on February 1, 2026. So far, 531 companies are affiliated with the scheme, and 451,182 individuals are registered, with 190,758 insured persons having access to healthcare benefits.
The universal health insurance scheme has already provided benefits to around 3,000 people. The government has also increased the allocation for retirees and laid-off workers from 300 million to 800 million CFA francs per year. Additionally, 4,741 school scholarships have been awarded to orphans of CARFO and CNSS pensioners, totaling 600 million CFA francs.
Key points
- The Burkinabe government has filled 28,554 positions in the public service sector.
- The universal health insurance scheme has registered 451,182 individuals.
- The minimum wage (SMIG) has been increased to 45,000 CFA francs.
