The 6th arrondissement of Ouagadougou now has new traffic lights, inaugurated on October 29, 2026, to improve road safety and traffic flow. The installation, designed and donated by El Hadj Mahamadou Zallé, president-director general of Africa Traffic Light System, is part of the Presidential Initiative for Community Development. This intersection is a busy area, with a nearby gas station and several schools.
The traffic lights, the tenth equipment offered by Zallé, are solar-powered with a photovoltaic panel and batteries, promoting local solutions adapted to community needs. The devices are manufactured locally by Zallé's team, using in-house research, in response to the authorities' call to promote Burkinabé expertise. Zallé aims to contribute to road safety improvement while valuing national production.
Sévérin Sanou, representing the president of the special delegation of Ouagadougou, praised the initiative, highlighting its relevance, particularly near a gas station and schools. He emphasized that city development is a shared responsibility, requiring public authorities, private partners, and citizens' mobilization. Sanou encouraged users to be civic-minded, respect traffic rules, and preserve the infrastructure.
Brigitte Ouédraogo, representative of the technical coordinator of the Presidential Initiative for Community Development, welcomed the private sector's commitment to road safety. She stressed that traffic lights are essential instruments for regulating traffic, preventing accidents, and protecting human lives. Ouédraogo emphasized the need for regular maintenance and increased awareness of road code respect.
The initiative showcases the role of private actors and national expertise in improving traffic conditions and protecting human lives. Zallé invited authorities to trust local competencies, citing the durability of his company's solutions, which have been in use for five years. Maintenance mainly involves replacing batteries when defective.
The new infrastructure is part of a broader effort to enhance road safety in Ouagadougou. Nine other installations have been completed, including seven in Bobo-Dioulasso, one in Pô, and one in Kokologho. The project demonstrates the potential for local solutions to address community needs.
The Presidential Initiative for Community Development aims to promote community development through partnerships with private actors. The installation of new traffic lights in Ouagadougou reflects the initiative's success in engaging the private sector in road safety improvement. The project's impact will be monitored, and its replication in other areas is expected.
Key points
- The new traffic lights in Ouagadougou aim to improve road safety and traffic flow.
- The devices are manufactured locally and solar-powered, promoting Burkinabé expertise and sustainable solutions.
- The initiative demonstrates the role of private actors and national expertise in enhancing road safety and traffic conditions.
