Ouagadougou: The President of Burkina Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, inaugurated the 20th edition of Digital Week at the Ouagadougou International Arts and Crafts Fair (SIAO). As the event marks two decades of digital celebration, President Traore emphasized the need to evaluate progress and set future goals, acknowledging that Burkina Faso still has a long way to go to meet its digital aspirations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, within the framework of the Popular Progressive Revolution, digital sovereignty is deemed a national imperative. Following the President's directive, a 12-point digital transformation program has been launched, aiming for substantial development by 2030. The initiative seeks to elevate Burkina Faso on the global stage through the integration of digital technology across various sectors, including health, education, security, and defense.

Digitalization is seen as a pivotal tool for modernizing the administration, reducing delays, enhancing public services, and combating corruption, which is a widespread issue across Africa. To achieve digital sovereignty, President Traore announced plans to acquire national data centers to host locally generated data, thus reducing reliance on external entities. Additionally, a new polytechnic academy will be established to cultivate digital expertise within the nation.

The Minister of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications, Aminata ZERBO/SABANE, pledged on behalf of the digital ecosystem stakeholders to develop AI tools tailored to Burkina Faso's needs. Ghana's Deputy Minister in charge of Digital Technologies, Mohammed Adams SUKPARU, emphasized the importance of collaborative efforts, stating that no country can advance alone in the realm of Artificial Intelligence.