The Conference of Ministers in charge of Education and Training of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) member countries is taking place in Niamey, Niger, on November 10-11, 2026. Burkina Faso's Minister of Basic Education, Literacy, and Promotion of National Languages, Jacques Sosthène Dingara, is attending the meeting. The conference aims to establish a permanent framework for consultation and cooperation in education and training among Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger.
Minister Dingara was welcomed upon arrival by his Nigerien counterpart in charge of Basic Education. This gesture reflects the spirit of fraternity and cooperation that characterizes the exchanges between the two countries in the field of education. Prior to the ministerial conference, the general secretaries of the education ministries of the three countries met from November 6 to 9. This preparatory meeting examined the items on the agenda and prepared the discussions between the ministers.
The concertation reflects a common will to make education a pillar of sovereignty and development in the AES space. The three countries aim to strengthen their cooperation in areas such as basic education, literacy, promotion of national languages, technical education, and vocational training. The goal is to develop education systems that are more adapted to the sociocultural realities of the countries and the aspirations of their populations.
Education and training have been identified as priority areas under the "Development" pillar of the AES Confederation. This is to provide concerted responses to common challenges. The roadmap for Year II, adopted on February 26, 2026, in Ouagadougou, provides for the establishment of the Conference of Ministers in charge of Education and Training. The Niamey meeting is an important step towards implementing this strategic orientation.
The meeting is expected to identify common priorities, valorize national experiences, strengthen complementarities between education systems, and define the bases of a cooperation program adapted to the realities of the three countries. This will enable the development of education systems that are more effective and relevant to the needs of the populations.
The AES countries are committed to developing their education systems in a way that is more adapted to their sociocultural realities. This involves promoting national languages, strengthening technical education and vocational training, and improving the quality of basic education. The cooperation program will be designed to support these efforts and ensure that education becomes a driving force for development in the region.
The Conference of Ministers in charge of Education and Training is a significant step towards achieving the education goals of the AES Confederation. The meeting will help to foster a culture of cooperation and collaboration among the member countries and pave the way for the implementation of joint initiatives in the field of education.
Key points
- Ministers from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger meet to strengthen education cooperation
- The conference aims to establish a permanent framework for consultation and cooperation in education and training
- The meeting is expected to identify common priorities and define the bases of a cooperation program adapted to the realities of the three countries
