Burkina Faso and Burundi advance artificial intelligence initiatives

Burkina Faso has unveiled a national roadmap for artificial intelligence spanning 2026 to 2030, aiming to create 5,000 specialized jobs and bolster digital sovereignty. The government plans to mobilize 30 billion CFA francs over five years to fund the initiative. The budget allocation includes 10.5 billion CFA francs for the development and experimentation of AI solutions, 6 billion CFA francs each for sovereign infrastructure and data preparation, 4.5 billion CFA francs for skills training, and 3 billion CFA francs for governance and coordination.

In Burundi, the Université Lumière de Bujumbura (ULBU) hosted the ‘AI FOR BUSINESS’ conference-workshop on August 6-7, 2026. The event focused on integrating advanced AI technologies into business operations, covering conversational, generative, and agentic AI. Workshops provided training on automating operational workflows using platforms such as n8n and Make, aiming to prepare professionals and decision-makers for the evolving technological landscape.