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(Ecofin Agency) – Burkina Faso revealed a plan to bring mobile and Internet services to 1,000 remote areas, known as “white zones,” over the next three years. These are regions currently without access to telephony and Internet services. The plan was announced on August 27 by Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, the Minister of Digital Transition, Posts, and Electronic Communications, during the “Tribune de Redevabilité” program on the public broadcaster Radiodiffusion-Télévision du Burkina (RTB).
“These are areas where operators are not required to invest. These zones are not included in their contracts because they are not very profitable. To ensure no one is left out, the government has taken it upon itself to invest and build the necessary infrastructure so that these areas are also covered, allowing the people there to access these services,” she explained.
According to the official, 1,700 white zones have been identified in the country, with 183 already connected in 2022. The government invested CFA6.2 billion (around $10.47 million) through the Universal Access and Service Fund (FASU) to make this possible.
This initiative aligns with the government’s goal to extend telecommunications coverage, considering these services a right for the population. As per the minister’s data, mobile service coverage in Burkina Faso stands at 85%, while 3G Internet covers 64% of the country, and 4G Internet covers 46%.
The Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Posts (ARCEP) in Burkina Faso reported 27.26 million mobile subscriptions (SIM cards) as of March 31, 2024, with a penetration rate of 116.45%. The total number of mobile Internet subscriptions is 18.67 million, covering 79.78% of the population.
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