馃嚙馃嚝Burkina FasoWest Africa
Dr. Joachim Tankoano's foundational role in Burkina Faso's digital development
via Lefaso.net5 min read
Dr. Joachim Tankoano, born in Fada N'Gourma on April 14, 1951, is recognized for his significant contributions to Burkina Faso's digital transformation. He earned a master's degree in computer science from the University of Montreal in 1978 and a State Doctorate in mathematical sciences, specializing in computer science, from Nancy I University in 1988. From 1983 to 1987, he taught at Nancy II University in France and subsequently joined the African Institute of Computer Science IAI in Libreville, Gabon, from 1988 to 1990, where he trained African professionals. In 1990, Dr. Tankoano returned to Burkina Faso to establish the country's first Advanced School of Computer Science ESI at the University of Ouagadougou, serving as its first director. He designed curricula, recruited faculty, and secured resources. In 1993, he played a key role in creating and managing the national top-level internet domain ".bf" through a collaboration involving the University of Ouagadougou, ORSTOM, and INRIA. He also organized the 2nd African Colloquium on Computer Science Research CARI'94 in Ouagadougou in 1994. Dr. Tankoano's career is closely linked to Burkina Faso's digital reforms. He served as Delegate General for Computer Science with ministerial rank from 1995 to 2006, and then as Minister of Posts and Information and Communication Technologies from 2006 to 2008. In these roles, he developed strategic documents such as the second National Computer Master Plan, the National Information and
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