The Guinean Ministry of Modernization of Administration and Public Service held a workshop on October 28, 2026, to present the results of a recent reform aimed at modernizing the country's public administration. The event, attended by Minister Faya François Bourouno and other high-ranking officials, focused on the implementation of new texts and organic frameworks, as well as a Reference Framework for Jobs and Competencies (RMC). The RMC is designed to improve the identification and management of public sector employees.
According to Alhassane Bangoura, Director National of Modernization, and Karamba Guirassy, Director General of Public Service, the reform revealed widespread irregularities in the public sector's remuneration system. They disclosed that 64,000 fake employee IDs were created, and the number of state employees was reduced from 168,000 to 104,000 after a thorough review. The reform also led to significant savings, with $643 million in economies realized between 2024 and 2026.
The new system of remuneration is based on the effective identification of state agents, thanks to biometric data such as facial recognition, iris scanning, and fingerprints. This has enabled the authorities to pay only identified employees, reducing the risk of fraud. The number of public sector employees, including civil servants and contract workers, currently stands at 128,000.
The workshop also highlighted the need for a recruitment policy that balances quantitative needs with qualitative requirements. This policy should be based on a prospective approach and economic considerations, taking into account the country's needs and available resources. The speakers emphasized that recruitment should not be driven solely by pressure from unions or other external factors.
The validation of organic texts and frameworks for central administration structures has also made progress. According to the officials, 646 structures have had their texts and frameworks validated, including 395 support services, 61 cabinet organs, and 286 directions and services attached. However, 220 texts remain to be validated, particularly in ministries that have not yet submitted their documents.
Minister Faya François Bourouno praised the work accomplished during the workshop and provided an overview of the distribution of employees across ministerial departments. He noted that no department has fewer than 600 employees, highlighting the need for effective management and resource allocation.
The Guinean government has introduced an artificial intelligence tool called "Founba" to support the modernization of public administration. The authorities aim to continue improving the efficiency and transparency of the public sector, ensuring that resources are allocated effectively and that employees are properly identified and managed.
Key points
- The Guinean government has uncovered 64,000 fake employee IDs and achieved $643 million in savings over two years through a reform of the public sector's remuneration system.
