Ouagadougou:The Minister of State and Minister of War and Patriotic Defense, Major General Celestin Simpore, has inaugurated the second edition of the National Week against Cybercrime. The event, scheduled from October 26 to 30, 2026, will take place across various localities in Burkina Faso, aiming to bolster efforts in preventing and combating cyber offenses.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the theme for this year's edition is "Cybercrime and emerging digital threats from click to crime." The initiative focuses on enhancing prevention, raising public awareness, and fostering collaboration among stakeholders involved in the fight against cybercrime.
The Minister highlighted that in 2025, Burkina Faso recorded 6,288 cases of cybercrime, a significant increase from 556 cases in 2020. This surge in cyber offenses resulted in financial damages amounting to 1.87 billion CFA francs, affecting citizens, businesses, and institutions. The misuse of cyberspace for spreading hate speech, false information, and community tensions poses severe risks to social cohesion, peace, and national security.
Amid ongoing digital transformation, marked by e-commerce growth, mobile payments, and social media usage, the government plans to enhance the country's digital resilience. By making cybersecurity a shared responsibility among the state, private sector, civil society, academics, and citizens, Burkina Faso aims to address these challenges.
Major General Simpore urged citizens to exercise vigilance in their digital interactions and called on institutions to fortify their computer systems against potential threats. He emphasized the importance of collective mobilization to ensure the security and digital sovereignty of the nation.
Commander Bayi Akim Nignan of the Central Brigade for the Fight Against Cybercrime (BCLCC) stated that this edition seeks to build on the first's achievements, promote digital ethics, and strengthen cooperation among cybercrime-fighting actors. He also advocated for greater public awareness through media support and encouraged the development of local digital solutions, including a hackathon as part of the event.