Ouagadougou: The first edition of the International Fair of Little Geniuses of Faso (FIPEG-FASO), held from May 23 to 25, 2025, at the National Museum of Ouagadougou, showcased 'exceptional talents, bearers of hope and innovation for Burkina Faso,' said the OMELA (Open My Eyes for Life Association), promoter of the event.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event, themed "The Place of Creative Genius in a Context of Insecurity and Resilience," aimed to boost children's creativity and encourage young Burkinabe talents to become key players in national development. FIPEG-FASO 2025 brought together approximately 500 innovative children and young people from different regions of the country, who presented some fifty projects in the fields of technology, science, and the arts.
The initiative included competitions, exhibitions, interactive workshops, panels, and conferences. Notable activities featured workshops on robotics, artificial intelligence, recycling, renewable energy, and applied arts. The culmination of the event saw the crowning of winners, highlighting promising talents and remarkable innovations.
In the Technology Category, Guira Amadou, a student at the Programming School, won the FIPEG-FASO 2025 Revelation Award with her project "Twilight Switch," a promising innovation for revolutionizing lighting management based on ambient brightness. In the Science Category, YAMEOGO SW Laeticia from the Burkina Institute of Technology (BIT) in Koudougou impressed the jury with her innovative machine for systematically peeling and washing cassava, addressing a crucial need for local agricultural producers. The Arts Category saw DIABOUGA Nafissatou distinguish herself with an educational craft project that promotes national cultural heritage using Burkinabe cotton fabric and leather.
Special awards were also distributed, with YAMEOGO SW Laeticia receiving the Special Prize for Female Genius for her outstanding contribution to agriculture. The Don Bosco Vocational Training Center in Bobo-Dioulasso earned the Special Prize for Environmental Commitment for its innovative multi-option system combining agriculture and environmental respect. Lastly, Young DAYAMBA Y. Esdras was honored with the Special Prize for the Youngest Creative Genius for his enigmatic drawing, demonstrating that creativity knows no age.