🇧🇫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
Free daily or weekly digest of the most important stories from across 18 African countries. No spam, unsubscribe any time.
This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
Must ReadAccra, Ghana, will host a High-Level Consultative Conference from June 17 to 19, 2026, to discuss next steps following the UN resolution of March 25, 2026, which recognized the enslavement of Africans as the most serious crime against humanity. This conference aims to establish a post-resolution framework and will feature three specialized panels: an advisory panel on reparative justice, an expert panel on cultural property restitution, and a legal panel. An annual consultative forum is also planned to continue discussions and actions. France, as a former colonial power, intends to participate, with President Emmanuel Macron having recently used the term "reparations" in an official speech, signaling a potential shift in the French government's approach to colonial history. The conference offers a neutral ground for West African countries to discuss historical justice and reparative justice, including addressing neocolonial practices such as external financing of terrorism, inequitable economic contracts, and Western media disinformation. The Alliance of Sahel States AES is encouraged to use this platform to articulate their demands for reparations, uniting Burkina Faso, Niger, Mali, and other African nations to form a strong front.
The official launch of the second phase of the "Economic Empowerment of Women through Innovation and Access to Intellectual Property" AFPI project is taking place in Burkina Faso's capital from June 9 to 12, 2026. This initiative is led by the African Intellectual Property Organization OAPI in collaboration with the United Nations Population Fund UNFPA. The project aims to promote female innovation and increase women's participation in scientific, technological, and agri-food sectors. It seeks to provide women with tools to protect their creations, enhance their innovations, and improve their businesses' competitiveness in national and international markets. The second phase of the AFPI project focuses on strategic actions, including strengthening beneficiaries' capacities through training and awareness campaigns, supporting the filing of industrial property titles, and identifying and mapping high-value-added female initiatives. The project also plans to create a platform for exchange between women in technology and those in agro-pastoral and agri-food sectors. Specific support will be given to innovative projects resulting from collaborations between young engineers and agribusiness entrepreneurs. This new phase follows a successful first phase implemented in Cameroon in August 2025, which motivated the expansion to Burkina Faso with the goal of fostering an inclusive innovation ecosystem and strengthening women's economic empowerment. Yacouba Zabré Gouba, the minister in c
Must ReadIn Burkina Faso, approximately 16,000 women are estimated to live with obstetric fistula, with around 900 new cases reported annually. This severe childbirth complication leads to isolation, stigmatization, and precarious living conditions for many women. Dr. Itengré Ouédraogo, a reconstructive surgeon and head of the ARENA association, is dedicated to providing free comprehensive care, including reconstructive surgery and socio-economic reintegration, to these patients. Obstetric fistula is a complication of childbirth resulting in an abnormal connection between the bladder and vagina, or rectum and vagina, causing continuous leakage of urine or feces. It often arises from obstructed labor where women lack timely access to a C-section. ARENA adopts a holistic approach, covering prevention to social reintegration. They conduct community awareness campaigns, collaborate with health centers, and train health workers for early detection and referral. Treatment at ARENA is completely free, encompassing surgical intervention, comorbidity management, psychological support, and socio-economic reintegration through income-generating activity training. While some severe cases may impact future pregnancies, most women can have children after successful repair. Cultural context is significant, as many women, especially those who developed fistula during their first delivery and lost the baby, desire to procreate again. Challenges include overcoming community stereotypes and stigmatizati