When technology overshadows life-or-death needs
The streets of Ouagadougou glow with patriotic fervor during the National Days of Patriotism and Citizenship Engagement (JEPPC), yet behind the ceremonial displays lies a nation grappling with existential threats. Amid this, the transitional government’s digital showcase—e-judicial records, e-nationality certificates, and the digitized Universal Health Insurance (AMU)—is being hailed as a leap toward modernity. But this narrative masks a harsh truth: a high-tech veneer cannot replace the foundational pillars of a functioning state.
From digital buzzwords to broken realities
The promise of digital governance is alluring, especially when framed as progress. Online platforms for legal documents or national ID registration sound efficient—until you examine who truly benefits. With internet penetration hovering below 20% and 4G access largely confined to urban hubs, the digital divide is not just a gap; it’s a chasm separating the connected few from the disconnected majority.
Consider the claim of success in digitizing AMU registration—reportedly reaching 1.3% of the population. This statistic, while technically accurate, obscures the fact that the remaining 98.7% are left behind, their access to basic services ignored in favor of a top-down narrative of modernity.
A nation divided by connectivity and capability
The digital revolution in Burkina Faso is not just uneven—it’s unfair. Urban elites with stable connections can navigate e-services with ease, while rural communities, disconnected and disenfranchised, are rendered invisible by a system that prioritizes image over impact. This isn’t progress; it’s a two-tiered illusion.
Security first: the bedrock of any nation
No amount of technological sophistication can thrive in a land under siege. Over two million internally displaced persons (IDPs) have fled terror attacks, their lives uprooted and communities shattered. For them, the urgency is not digital convenience—it’s survival. Roads to safety, secure shelter, and the restoration of territorial integrity are not optional; they are prerequisites for any meaningful development, digital or otherwise.
- Territorial control before tech rollouts: Digitizing public services in conflict zones riddled with violence or sabotage is not just impractical—it’s irresponsible.
- Preservation of life before digital rights: The state’s highest duty is to secure its people. Without safety, an e-government is nothing more than an empty façade.
Education: the missing link in digital inclusion
Even if security were restored and connectivity expanded nationwide, another barrier looms: illiteracy. With significant portions of the population lacking basic reading and writing skills—let alone digital literacy—the promise of e-services crumbles into irrelevance. A platform meant to simplify life becomes an insurmountable obstacle for those who can’t read the instructions.
The urgency of education cannot be overstated. Thousands of schools remain shuttered due to conflict, and generations of children are denied the chance to learn. Investing in servers and digital platforms while schools lie in ruins is not just misguided—it’s a strategic misstep that deepens inequality.
Rebuilding from the ground up: a sustainable path forward
The sequence of nation-building matters. Digital governance is not the foundation of progress; it’s the crown jewel of a stable, educated society. To reverse course, Burkina Faso must prioritize:
- Immediate security restoration: Halting the spread of violence and reclaiming lost territories are non-negotiable steps toward restoring public trust and functionality.
- Massive investment in education: Schools must reopen, and literacy programs must expand to ensure no citizen is left behind in the digital age.
Only when these essentials are secured can the nation afford to dream of e-services. Digital transformation, when built on sand, collapses under pressure. But when built on the bedrock of security and education, it becomes a tool of empowerment—not exclusion.
The choice is clear: chase the illusion of modernity or lay the groundwork for a future where progress is shared by all.
Conclusion: technology must serve the people, not the other way around
Burkina Faso stands at a crossroads. The government’s embrace of digital governance, while symbolically powerful, rings hollow without addressing the core crises of security and education. True progress is measured not by the number of apps launched, but by the stability and literacy of the people they’re meant to serve. The time for reordering priorities is now—before the digital dream erodes into yet another unfulfilled promise.
