Burkina Faso Integrates National Languages into AI Development Strategy
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with national institutions, including RTB and various research organizations, with the goal of creating technology solutions that reflect Burkina Faso’s linguistic and cultural realities.
The Ministry of Digital Transition, Postal and Electronic Communications is advancing its national digital strategy by prioritising the integration of local languages into artificial intelligence development, in a move aimed at making emerging technologies more inclusive and accessible.
Led by the department of Aminata Zerbo/Sabane, the initiative is being implemented through the Permanent Secretariat of Innovation and the Awakening of Digital Emerging Technologies (SPIVTEN). A dedicated workshop began on March 24, 2026, bringing together experts from academia, linguistics, journalism, and the AI field.
The workshop focuses on developing structured linguistic resources for four national languages—Moore, Dioula, Fulfuldé, and Gulmancema. These resources are essential for building artificial intelligence applications such as speech recognition, machine translation, and voice synthesis.
The initiative is being carried out in collaboration with national institutions, including RTB and various research organizations, with the goal of creating technology solutions that reflect Burkina Faso’s linguistic and cultural realities. By doing so, the country aims to ensure that digital innovation is accessible to a broader population.
This effort forms part of Burkina Faso’s broader digital transformation agenda, which includes long-term development goals under its national vision toward 2030. A key focus of this strategy is to develop local expertise in artificial intelligence, strengthen digital sovereignty, and expand the use of AI across critical sectors of the economy.
The ministry’s approach highlights a commitment to building an inclusive digital ecosystem where technology is adapted to local needs, while also positioning the country to harness the full potential of artificial intelligence for national development.
