Guinea's Minister of Modernization of Administration and Public Service, Faya François Bourouno, led the country's delegation to the UN Summit on Innovation in Governance, held in Baku, Azerbaijan, on November 5, 2026. At the summit, Bourouno presented Guinea's public administration reform efforts, which have garnered interest from several African countries. The reform program, known as Simandou 2040, aims to translate economic growth into concrete improvements in public services.
The Simandou 2040 program is built around 122 megaprojects and 36 strategic reforms, focusing on creating a more accessible, efficient, and citizen-centered administration. Bourouno highlighted the program's goals, including rationalizing public agent management and enhancing administrative transparency. To achieve these objectives, his ministry has launched several initiatives, such as the Guichet Unique des Services Publics (GUSP), a one-stop shop for public services, and the Répertoire national des emplois et des compétences, a national registry of public employment and competencies.
Bourouno also discussed the Baromètre national des services publics, a national barometer that evaluates the quality and effectiveness of public services. These reforms are part of a broader effort to gradually digitalize administrative procedures. During bilateral meetings with counterparts from Gabon, Chad, Madagascar, Guinea-Bissau, and Djibouti, Bourouno shared Guinea's experiences in governance and administration modernization, highlighting the country's progress in these areas.
The minister's presentation and bilateral meetings generated significant interest, particularly from Gabon, which is also undergoing public administration reforms. Gabon's Minister of Public Service and Capacity Building, Laurence Ndong, expressed interest in Guinea's experience, citing similarities in their reform objectives. Chad's Minister of Public Service, Abdoulaye Mboudou, also showed interest in Guinea's digitalization and career management initiatives.
Bourouno noted that Guinea has made significant strides in public administration reform, particularly in controlling the public workforce and digitalizing personnel management. He expressed satisfaction that many countries see Guinea as a model in these areas. The minister's delegation also engaged with representatives from the African Peer Review Mechanism (APRM), further highlighting Guinea's commitment to good governance and public administration reform.
The UN Summit on Innovation in Governance provided a platform for Guinea to showcase its reform efforts and share experiences with other countries. Bourouno's participation and presentations demonstrated Guinea's commitment to modernizing its public administration and improving public services. The summit also offered opportunities for bilateral discussions and knowledge sharing, which will likely contribute to further collaboration and reform efforts in the region.
As Guinea continues to implement its Simandou 2040 program, the country's progress in public administration reform will likely be closely watched by other African nations. With its focus on digitalization, transparency, and citizen-centered services, Guinea's approach may serve as a model for other countries seeking to modernize their public administrations and improve governance.
Key points
- Guinea's Minister of Modernization of Administration and Public Service, Faya François Bourouno, presented the country's public administration reform efforts at the UN Summit on Innovation in Governance in Baku, Azerbaijan.
- The Simandou 2040 program aims to translate economic growth into concrete improvements in public services, with a focus on creating a more accessible, efficient, and citizen-centered administration.
- Bourouno's participation and presentations demonstrated Guinea's commitment to modernizing its public administration and improving public services.
