Burkina Faso

ICT Profile

Country background
Country name
Burkina Faso
Capital city
Ouagadougou
Name of telecommunications ministry

Ministry of Development of Digital Economy and Posts (MDENP)

Name of telecommunications regulator

Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications (ARCEP)

Population

20,903,278

Source: World Bank 2020 - https://datacatalog.worldbank.org/

Country narrative

Burkina Faso is exposed to multiple natural hazards and is particularly vulnerable to droughts, locust invasions, storms, and floods—often caused by drainage and dam system failures. Most stakeholders are aware of the increasing risks posed by: (i) unplanned settlements in high-risk areas; (ii) improper drainage; and (iii) poorly designed infrastructure. The government of Burkina Faso is, in fact, planning to expand its early warning capacities in order to properly address flood and windstorm hazards. The government also seeks to enhance linkages between hazard forecasting and response from stakeholders. However, the country lacks the necessary framework, technical resources and financial resources to properly address the development planning in a sustainable manner. In the last five years, Burkina Faso has scaled-up its disaster risk management (DRM) efforts. In 2012 a national DRM strategy was drafted, and is currently awaiting formal adoption. Additionally, the country is developing a database of historical natural disasters under the United Nations’ DesInventar program—an inventory system of the effects of disasters—and an early warning system for food security—with droughts and locust invasions as its primary focus.  

Source: Global Facility for Disaster Reduction and Recovery https://www.gfdrr.org/sites/default/files/publication/country-profile-2016-burkina-faso.pdf

Currency

West African CFA franc (XOF)

INFORM Risk Score: [>= 6.5 (very high risk), >= 5 (high), >= 3.5 (medium), >= 2 (low), and >= 0 (very low)]

7.0 (high)

Source: INFORM Risk 2022 - www.inform-index.org/

International calling code:

226

Internet country code:

.bf

Electrical standard:

Voltage: 220V, Frequency: 50Hz, Plug type: C, E

Local UN/NGO ICT WG in place:

Yes - active

Lead agency of UN/NGO ICT WG: WFP

CWC WG in place:

Yes - active 

Lead agency of CWC WG: OCHA

Logistics profile information

https://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/Burkina+Faso

Key ICT statistics
Fixed-telephone subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

0

Source: World Bank 2020 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.MLT.MAIN.P2?name_desc=false&locations=BF)

 

Mobile-cellular subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

106

Source: World Bank 2020 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.CEL.SETS.P2?locations=BF&name_desc=false)

Fixed (wired)-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

0.07

Source: World Bank 2020 (https://data.worldbank.org/indicator/IT.NET.BBND.P2?locations=BF&name_desc=false)

Mobile-broadband subscriptions per 100 inhabitants

105.8

Source: Knoema 2020 (https://knoema.com/atlas/Burkina-Faso)

GSMA mobile connectivity index score

34.3

Source: GSMA Intelligence 2021 (https://www.mobileconnectivityindex.com/#year=2021&zoneIsocode=BFA)

3G coverage % of population

65

Source: GSMA Intelligence 2018 (https://www.mobileconnectivityindex.com/#year=2018&zoneIsocode=,BFA&analysisView=BFA)

Contact list

The contacts across sectors are provided as follows. 

Full contact list: https://dlca.logcluster.org/display/public/DLCA/4+Burkina+Faso+Contact+Lists

Type of organization
Government
Name
Raphael Zongonaba
Position
Sécrétaire Général
Contact number(s)
+226 50310014
Type of organization
Government
Name
Madame Diane
Position
Secretaire Permanent
Contact number(s)
+226 50347003
Type of organization
Government
Name
Position
Secretariat General
Contact number(s)
+226 50310563
Name
Judith Dah
Position
Operations Manager
Contact number(s)
+226 75 87 03 32
E-mail
Location
Immeuble des Nations Unies 34, Avenue du Conseil Economique et Social 01 B.P 575 Ouaga 01
Name
Pacifique Aim Nyenimana
Position
Finance & Administration Officer
Contact number(s)
+226 76 20 38 90
Location
64, Angle Avenue Georges Konseiga et Avenue du Général Sangoulé Lamizana
Name
Djenaba Ly
Position
Administrative Officer
Contact number(s)
+226 70 20 02 33
Location
Rue Ahoussa, Avenue de l'Indépendance 158 03 BP 7019 Ouaga 03
Name
Contact number(s)
+226 50492365
Location
29 avenue de la Nation 01BP 1459 Ouagadougou
Name
Robert Kontogom
Position
Head of Customs Office
Type of organization
Private Sector
Name
Bouda Ouiraogo
Position
Directeur de Production et Transport
Regulations and rules
Description

This describes some of the regulations and rules related to the use of emergency telecommunications equipment in Burkina Faso.

Regolations/Rules
Type of regulation
Disaster management
Policy name

National Climate Change Adaptation Plan (https://www.preventionweb.net/english/policies/v.php?id=58233&cid=27)

Description

The objectives of an NAP are to (i) reduce vulnerability to the impact of climate change by developing adaptation and resilience capabilities; (ii) facilitate the integration of climate change adaptation into new or existing policies, programmes or activities and in specific development planning processes and strategies in pertinent sectors and at various levels in a coherent manner.

It ultimately results in a reference document containing practical information with a view to helping to: reduce the vulnerability of natural, social and economic systems to climate change; integrate climate change adaptation into current or future development policies and strategies.

Policy name

Not a signatory to the Tampere Convention. 

Description

-

Type of regulation
UAV
Policy name

Burkina Faso UAV Regulations according to Agence Nationale de l'Aviation Civile (ANAC) du Burkina Faso (https://www.droneregulations.info/Burkina+Faso/BF.html)

Description

Many specific regulations listed in link. ANAC contact information: 01 BP 1158 Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso
Tel: +226 50 30 64 88 / 50 31 63 32
Fax: +226 50 31 45 44
Email: info@anacburkina.org Website: http://www.anacburkina.org

Communications service providers
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Orange
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Orange S.A.
Service description
Mobile network mainly for voice, SMS, MMS and Data
Coverage map (provide URL)
-
Mobile money service available
Yes
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Mobile network operator (MNO)
Company name
Onatel (Office National des Telecommunications)
GSMA HCC signatory
No
Parent company name (majority holding)
Maroc Telecom
Service description
Mobile and fixed
Coverage map (provide URL)
-
Mobile money service available
Yes
Fibre optic network
Yes
Voice and SMS services
Yes
3G/4G data services
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
ONATEL/FasoNet
Service description
Onatel's FasoNet is the country's leading internet service provider, offering DSL and EV-DO services. Internet penetration is extremely low, exacerbated by the high cost of connectivity despite price cuts introduced since 2011 in the wake of improved inte
Fibre optic network
Yes
Internet service provider (ISP)
Company name
Orange Burkina Faso
Service description
An increasing share of its subscriber base, one-third in 2016, is a consumer of data services. Mobile financial services are also booming with more than 3.4 million users at end-2016, which represents a market share of around 95%.
Fibre optic network
Yes
Fixed line operator
Company name
Onatel (Office National des Telecommunications)
Company description
4G/LTE-Advanced network, fiber optics and sub marine cable lines
Local satellite service provider
Company name
NT-VSAT
Service description
Private German company
Operational band(s)
C-Band, Ku-Band and Ka-Band
Signatory to Satellite Crisis Connectivity Charter?
No
Broadcast radio
Country name
Burkina Faso-Radio Omega FM Ouagadougou
Radio station name
Radio Omega
Official public broadcaster
Yes
Service description
RADIO OMEGA is located in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso and is part of the Radio Broadcasting & Programming Industry. RADIO OMEGA has 60 employees at this location and generates $22.34 million in sales (USD).
Band
FM
Broadcast frequency
103.9-104.7 MHz
Geographical reach
45 km radius around Ouagadougou
Broadcast radio
Country name
Burkina Faso-Radio Pulsar FM Ouagadougou
Radio station name
Radio Pulsar
Official public broadcaster
Yes
Service description
RADIO PULSAR Ouagadougou est installée au cœur de la capitale, à deux pas de l'avenue Kwamé N'Krumah.
Band
FM
Broadcast frequency
94.8 MHz
Geographical reach
Statewide
Electricity provider
Company name
Société Nationale d'électricité du Burkina Faso (SONABEL)
Supply linked to national grid
Yes
Service description
SONABEL is the national electricity company of Burkina Faso. The company represents Burkina Faso in the West African Power Pool.
International Connectivity Infrastructure
Submarine cable landing station (CLS)
Submarine cable name(s)

MainOne

Point of landing

N/A

Ready for service

No

Description

As a landlocked country, Burkina Faso has faced difficulties in accessing world-class connectivity and maintaining ubiquitous broadband internet access due to the lack of infrastructure and the reluctance of major operators to explore operational broadband service delivery models favorable for socio-economic development of the country. To address this challenge, the PRICAO Initiative was created by the Burkina Faso Government, in collaboration with a consortium of Internet Service Providers and Mobile Operators. The purpose of the initiative is to facilitate the creation of virtual landing points as a platform for the extension of broadband network coverage in the country, with a view to improving the quality of connectivity in the region; increase Internet penetration and improve the performance of ICT services.

Website

https://www.mainone.net/mainone-partners-government-and-the-world-bank-to-deliver-connectivity-services-into-burkina-faso/

Satellite hub
Location and details of satellite hub

N/A

Mobile satellite service (MSS) in-country coverage:
Iridium (Y/N)

Yes

Thuraya (Y/N)

Yes

Inmarsat (Y/N)

Yes

Globalstar (Y/N)

Yes

Early Warning System (EWS)
EWS system(s) in place? (Y/N)

Yes

Description

In Burkina Faso, CREWS improves hydrometeorological services for early warning for flood-related risks and risk information for agriculture, food security and anticipation of severe weather impacts.

Managed by (eg. system name, NDMO, govt. agency etc)

World Meteorological Organization (WMO)