Burkina Faso Signs Landmark Agreement to Integrate Artificial Intelligence into Public Broadcasting

The Ministry of Digital Transition, Posts and Electronic Communications of Burkina Faso  has entered into a landmark partnership with Radio and Television of Burkina (RTB) to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) in transforming information accessibility and communication services nationwide. The agreement, signed on October 21, 2025, by Minister Dr. Aminata Zerbo/Sabane and RTB Director General Atéridar Galip Some, represents a significant step toward integrating AI into the country’s public service broadcasting and digital communication ecosystem.

This partnership aligns with the government’s commitment to harness AI as a tool for inclusive development, focusing on improving information delivery and expanding access to content for all citizens, regardless of language or literacy level. The initiative is part of a broader national strategy built around three key priorities: developing a comprehensive AI integration roadmap, launching awareness and training programs—including a national AI conference scheduled for October 28, 2025—and implementing pilot projects in critical sectors such as health, meteorology, security, and information dissemination.

Through this collaboration, the Ministry and RTB aim to make information more accessible in local languages, ensuring that citizens who do not speak French can better understand public communications. A live demonstration showcased a translation tool capable of converting Mooré into French and vice versa, developed by experts from the Interdisciplinary Center for Artificial Intelligence for Development (CITADEL) at the Virtual University of Burkina. This innovation reflects the country’s growing emphasis on AI-driven linguistic inclusion and technological sovereignty.

The partnership is also expected to enhance content creation and public service broadcasting, with RTB exploring the use of AI in producing local media such as Burkinabe cartoons and culturally relevant programming. According to the RTB leadership, this initiative will allow the national broadcaster to fulfill its mission of delivering high-quality, accessible information while promoting national identity and linguistic diversity.

This agreement follows a similar collaboration signed earlier with the National Meteorological Agency (ANAM) and marks another milestone in Burkina Faso’s journey toward digital transformation and AI integration across public institutions. It underscores the government’s ambition to position Burkina Faso as a proactive player in Africa’s AI revolution, using technology to foster inclusion, innovation, and cultural empowerment.