Burkina Faso Revises Digital Infrastructure Plan Ahead of 2030

• Burkina Faso plans to revise its Digital Development Master Plan (SDAN) to better align infrastructure planning with the country’s needs through 2030.
• Nearly 2,000 localities still lack access to electronic communications networks, representing about 10% to 12% of the national territory.
• Internet penetration stood at 28.3% in 2024, while mobile-phone penetration reached 63.9%, highlighting the country’s persistent digital divide.

The government plans to revise its Digital Development Master Plan (Schéma directeur d’aménagement numérique, or SDAN). The initiative aims to adapt digital infrastructure planning to the country’s evolving needs and better direct investments across the territory through 2030.

From Sunday, Sept. 6, to Saturday, Sept. 12, representatives from the Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications and the Directorate-General for Territorial Development are working to finalize the draft revised SDAN. The authorities will then submit the document to the National Commission for Territorial Planning and Sustainable Development (CNADDT).

Adopted in 2019, the SDAN provides a framework for developing digital infrastructure and services based on the characteristics and needs of different territories. The revision will allow the government to account for changes in the sector and new national priorities, as well as progress and shortcomings identified since the plan’s adoption.

The initiative forms part of efforts that the government has pursued for several months. In October 2025, Burkina Faso launched the Digital Development Observatory (Observatoire de l’aménagement numérique, OAN), a platform designed to collect, analyze and map data on digital infrastructure across the country.

The platform aims to provide public authorities with information that can support infrastructure planning and policy decisions.

The government’s push for better planning comes as Burkina Faso continues to develop infrastructure to support its digital transformation. Authorities are expanding the fiber-optic network, deploying data centers and strengthening telecommunications networks.

The government also aims to eliminate all white zones by 2027, referring to areas without access to electronic communications services.

According to official sources, nearly 2,000 localities still lack access to electronic communications networks, representing about 10% to 12% of the national territory.

At the same time, International Telecommunication Union data show that 20% of the population lacked 3G coverage, while about 32% lacked 4G coverage. Internet adoption also remained low, with an Internet penetration rate of 28.3% in 2024, compared with 63.9% for mobile telephony.

Isaac K. Kassouwi