Ouagadougou: Six African countries have confirmed their participation in the first edition of the Tour du Faso des dames, called Tour f©minin Yennenga, from April 13 to 19, the organizers of the cycling race announced Thursday during a press conference.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Burundi, Cameroon, Ghana, Mali, Mauritania, Nigeria, and Burkina Faso are the countries that have announced their participation in the first edition of the Yennenga Women's Tour 2026. Morocco has also been invited but has not yet confirmed its participation.
The race will traverse six regions of Burkina Faso: Kadiogo, Guiriko, Nakamb©, Nazinon, Oubri, and Nando, covering a total of 373.6 km in six stages. The caravan is set to commence on Tuesday, April 14th, with the first stage between Ouagadougou and Kombissiri, spanning a distance of 52.94 km. The second stage, Guiba to Garango, is 66.87 km long, followed by the third stage between Tenkodogo and Zorgho, covering 70.87 km.
The fourth stage will occur between Kokologho and Koudougou, a distance of 65.82 km, before the caravan moves into the Guiriko region for the Bobo-Dioulasso criterium, a 55.90 km route. After the Sya stage, competitors will head to the Burkinabe capital for the final stage, the Yennenga Grand Prix of Ouagadougou, totaling 61.200 km.
The press conference was led by Colette Ou©draogo, Secretary General of the Ministry of Sports, with support from the Burkina Faso Cycling Federation. She highlighted that this initiative reflects the authorities' commitment to promoting women's sport, aiming to make cycling a tool for social cohesion, resilience, and development.
The Yennenga Women's Tour aims to promote women's cycling, provide a platform for athletes to perform, enhance Burkina Faso's visibility on the African and international sporting scene, and stimulate socio-economic activities in the regions crossed.
The Secretary General stated that the territorial coverage of the event will help boost local economies and highlight the potential of the areas crossed. Burkina Faso will field two teams of four riders, with the Burkinabe cyclists targeting the red leader's jersey. National Technical Director Martin Sawadogo shared that the cyclists have been training externally at their club and participated in major competitions like the RTB Grand Prix and the IAM Gold SA Grand Prix.
Sawadogo expressed confidence in establishing a presence on the continental and global stage, pledging to honor the Burkinabe flag. The Yennenga Women's Tour is under the high patronage of Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ou©draogo.