🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Ouagadougou to host first pan-African data exhibition in July 2026
via Lefaso.net2 min read
Ouagadougou will host the first edition of the Grand Salon de la Data en Afrique GSDA on July 15 and 16, 2026. The event aims to gather over 1,000 participants from academia, the professional sector, and other fields, featuring high-level panels, training sessions, hackathons, exhibition stands, and B2B meetings. Djibril Pierre Clavair Pamousso, the event's promoter, stated that the GSDA will be a platform for sharing pan-African experiences on data issues, including management, sharing, legal frameworks, exploitation, and appropriation for development, aiming to make data a growth driver for African economies. He also highlighted its potential for job creation through an endogenous, sovereign, and local dynamic, rooted in human resources and local territories, while drawing inspiration from African values and needs. Participation in the exhibition is free and open to all, including students, researchers, entrepreneurs, startups, companies, public institutions, technical and financial partners, investors, and digital enthusiasts. Wend-Yam Carine Ouédraogo, Head of Sponsoring and Partnerships, detailed various exhibition spaces: the Discovery stand for startups, associations, training centers, and young companies; the Standard stand for SMEs, consulting firms, institutions, and companies seeking qualified exchanges; the Pro stand for large companies, public administrations, and technology solution providers for demonstrations and B2B meetings; and the Premium stand for market
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The annual Hajj 2026 evaluation meeting, held at the royal palace in Mina and chaired by Crown Prince Mohammed Ben Salman, highlighted significant progress in pilgrimage organization. Burkina Faso was recognized for its pilgrims' discipline and the effective coordination between its diplomatic representations and Saudi authorities. This high-level meeting included Mahamat Déby, President of Chad, the dean of the diplomatic corps, the ambassador of Mali, the minister and secretary general of the government of Burkina Faso, and the chief of staff of the Prime Minister. The Saudi Minister of Hajj and Umrah presented a very satisfactory report for the 2026 edition, noting enhanced security, improved health care, continued digitalization of services, increased use of artificial intelligence in managing pilgrim flows, and modernized transportation. These advancements contributed to high pilgrim satisfaction. Saudi authorities commended the exemplary conduct of pilgrims from all participating countries, with the Burkinabe contingent particularly distinguished by its organization and pilgrim discipline. This success is attributed to effective coordination between the Burkina Faso embassy in Riyadh, the consulate general in Jeddah, and the national pilgrimage organizing committee, in collaboration with Saudi authorities. This synergy significantly improved the conditions for Burkinabe pilgrims' stay and performance of rites. The recognition of the exemplary discipline of Burkinabe pil
Burkina Faso's Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, announced that the ministry recorded 401 billion CFA francs in revenue for May 2026, significantly exceeding the forecast of 275 billion CFA francs by 126 billion CFA francs. This achievement was highlighted during a national flag-raising ceremony on June 1, 2026, in Ouagadougou, where Dr. Nacanabo urged his staff to maintain their performance in national development and reaffirmed the ministry's strategic role in the country's economic transformation and the implementation of the RELANCE 2026-2030 Plan. He also praised efforts against economic fraud by the Directorate General of Customs and the National Coordination for Combating Fraud, which have strengthened consumer protection, secured public revenues, and improved the national economic environment. Major advancements in May included the creation of the Sovereign Mining Fund for sustainable management of mining revenues and the establishment of the Grand Imprimerie du Faso, a strategic tool for administrative sovereignty. These results underscore the country's economic resilience despite security challenges. Earlier, in November 2025, Dr. Nacanabo met with a World Bank delegation, which commended Burkina Faso's progress and reforms. A World Bank report from July 2025 noted an increase in real GDP growth from 3.0% in 2023 to 4.9% in 2024, with per capita GDP growth reaching 2.5% and extreme poverty declining to 23.2%. Additionally, in May 2026, an Inte
Burkina Faso's Minister of War, General Célestin Simporé, successfully defended a bill establishing the status of the military reserve before the People's Legislative Assembly ALP. The assembly adopted the text, which comprises 5 titles and 61 articles, following discussions. The government justifies this initiative by citing security challenges related to the fight against terrorism, as well as sub-regional and international geopolitical shifts that necessitate strengthening national defense capabilities and citizen mobilization. The bill aims to create a complementary, organized, and sustainable system to mobilize, supervise, and effectively employ citizens capable of contributing to national defense. Burkina Faso previously lacked a specific legal framework for a military reserve. The new project seeks to fill this legal void by establishing an organized military reserve adapted to national realities, structured into two components: a first-order reserve of immediately mobilizable personnel with military experience, and a second-order reserve of citizens to be trained to progressively enhance defense capabilities. The bill was unanimously adopted by 57 voters.
The Champions League final will take place in Budapest on Saturday, May 30, featuring Paris Saint-Germain, the defending champions, against Arsenal, the English champions. Africafoot, a leading African football news portal, has gathered exclusive predictions from renowned former players for this final. Former Arsenal defender Emmanuel Eboué believes the Gunners will have a psychological advantage due to their long-awaited Premier League victory, their first in 22 years. He predicts an Arsenal win in a penalty shootout after a draw in regular time, acknowledging PSG as favorites. Experts from 1xBet estimate Arsenal's final victory at 2.16, with a penalty shootout priced at 5.85. Former Cameroonian international Patrick Mboma, who played for PSG, considers the Parisian club favorites but admits the advantage is not significant. He states that Arsenal is a very good team with interesting arguments. Mboma would be satisfied with a 1-0 PSG victory from an 89th-minute corner, but would prefer a more spectacular win like 4-2 or 5-3. A PSG victory with over 2.5 total goals is quoted at 3.85, while a goal from a corner is priced at 2.95. PSG is favored with a win in regular time at 2.4 against Arsenal's 3.3, and a draw is quoted at 3.37. More betting options for the Champions League final are available in Africafoot's predictions.