Burkina Faso to Roll Out 800 New Telecom Sites in 2025, Accelerating Push to Connect White Zones
This deployment is part of a strategic effort to eliminate “white zones” — underserved or unserved areas lacking network coverage.
The Ministry of Digital Transition , in collaboration with the Regulatory Authority for Electronic Communications and Postal Services (ARCEP) and national telecom operators, has reported significant advances in fulfilling their joint commitments to improve telecommunications services and expand network coverage.
During a working session held on May 23, 2025, Minister Dr. Aminata Zerbo-Sabané highlighted that many service quality improvement targets set by the three main operators — Orange Burkina, Telecel Faso, and ONATEL S.A. — have already been met. However, some challenges remain, which have slowed the full delivery of all agreed-upon goals.
On the infrastructure front, the Ministry and ARCEP unveiled ambitious plans to deploy 800 new telecommunications sites across the country this year. This deployment is part of a strategic effort to eliminate “white zones” — underserved or unserved areas lacking network coverage.
Of these new sites, 250 localities are to be covered under the PACTDIGITAL initiative, while 500 additional sites will be funded through the Universal Service and Access Fund (FASU). An extra 50 locations, also financed by FASU, are slated to become available as white zones are freed up. The tender process for this deployment is currently underway, signaling rapid progress toward expanding access.
This coordinated push reflects the government’s commitment to bridging the digital divide and ensuring quality, affordable connectivity reaches all corners of Burkina Faso by 2027.
