Burkina Faso Launches PROTAF Computer Recycling Initiative to Promote Digital Inclusion

The Ministry of Digital Transition, Postal and Electronic Communications of Burkina Faso  has welcomed a new initiative under the ICT Program in Faso (PROTAF) aimed at promoting digital inclusion and women’s empowerment. The initiative, presented on March 14, 2026, in Ouagadougou, involves the recycling and rehabilitation of outdated computer equipment to provide resources for vulnerable populations and support digital education.

The project retrieved surplus computer hardware from public administration, initially collecting 30 computers, 30 keyboards, 30 central units, 30 mice, 10 printers, and 10 inverters. Following refurbishment by a team of student-supported technicians, a substantial portion of the equipment was rehabilitated, including 22 central units, 10 keyboards, 5 mice, 24 power cables, 12 VGA cables, 5 inverters, and about a dozen functional screens.

Wagnin Zerbo, Coordinator of PROTAF, highlighted that the initiative was born from the belief that unused equipment can still serve others, adding that recycling to support vulnerable groups brings real satisfaction. Beyond the material handover, the program also has a digital education component. From March 16-19, 2026, 30 women in Gourcy will receive training in office and internet use, with five computers provided to enable income-generating activities, including setting up public secretariats. Key beneficiaries include widows of the Defense and Security Forces, women’s associations, and other vulnerable groups.

The training sessions will also raise awareness of state-developed digital services, such as the “Zama Tchey – the Citizen’s House” platform, which facilitates access to public services. At the press conference, the Ministry, represented by its Director of Communication and Press Relations Somborigna Djélika Drabo, praised the citizen-led initiative as aligned with the national digital transformation strategy. The Ministry reaffirmed its support for such initiatives, particularly through technical expertise provided by its specialized structures.

This project reflects a commitment to digital solidarity, reduces the digital divide, and strengthens Burkina Faso’s digital sovereignty. It complements the government’s broader plan to implement twelve major digital transition sites across the country, contributing to national development through citizen engagement and technology.