🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Illiteracy and digital divide impact success of Burkina Faso's PACT Digital project
via Lefaso.net12 min read
Burkina Faso is undergoing a significant digital transformation, aiming to modernize public administration and services, enhance local skills, and broaden technological access. The government's commitment is evident in the acquisition of two data centers and the stated ambition of the Minister of Digital Transition, Aminata Zerbo/Sabané, to develop AI tailored to local needs using national expertise. This initiative seeks to combat corruption, streamline public services, and secure procedures. However, the effective implementation of these measures faces challenges due to the digital divide and digital illiteracy among the population. The digital divide refers to inequalities in access to and use of information and communication technologies, while digital illiteracy describes the lack of knowledge and skills needed to utilize digital tools effectively. The PACT Digital project, funded by the World Bank and the Burkinabe state with over 98 billion FCFA, aims to accelerate digital transformation by expanding connectivity, digitizing public services, and developing digital skills. Despite significant progress in infrastructure, such as the operationalization of two data centers with substantial storage and processing capabilities, and the launch of numerous digital platforms for public services, the utility of these tools is not fully realized by the general population. Mobile phone penetration is high, but their use is often recreational rather than utilitarian. The government
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This summary was AI-generated from a story originally published by Lefaso.net.
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