Ouagadougou: Burkina Faso celebrated female scientific excellence on Saturday at the conclusion of the first edition of the national science competition "Hakili Mousso." During a ceremony presided over by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Oudraogo, representing President Ibrahim Traor, the 15 top-performing female high school graduates in mathematics, physics, and chemistry, along with their supervising teachers, were recognized.

According to Burkina Information Agency, following the regional rounds, 84 candidates took part in the official ceremony announcing the results of the national competition for the detection of female scientific talent. Five prizes were awarded in each of the three selected disciplines.

The prizes include sums ranging from 500,000 to 2 million FCFA, computers, scholarships, and coverage of healthcare, meals, accommodation, and transportation for the duration of their studies. Motorcycles, fuel vouchers, and other prizes were also awarded.

The teachers who mentored the winning students were also rewarded. They received villas, computers, motorcycles, and other prizes.

'Girls absolutely have their place in science,' the Prime Minister declared, urging young women not to be afraid to pursue these fields. He also emphasized the role of teachers and parents in supporting girls who choose to study science.

According to Floriane Zongo, the special advisor to the President of Faso, girls represented 36.7% of the student body in scientific fields in 2025-2026, compared to 59.5% in non-scientific fields.

Through the presidential initiative "Hakili Mousso", the authorities intend to strengthen the interest of young girls in scientific and technological disciplines, with a view to promoting the development of skills necessary for the technical and industrial transformation of Burkina Faso.

The representative of the winners, Nicole Yamogo, welcomed this initiative and expressed, on behalf of her classmates, their joy and their determination to continue their efforts.

'Thanks to Hakili Mousso, we are convinced that we have a crucial role to play in the development and sovereignty of our country. We pledge to remain excellent ambassadors of science and to put our skills, our energy and our work at the service of Burkina Faso,' she said.