Horizon Industries officially began operations in Burkina Faso in April 2022. The company is 35% state-owned through the Burkinabè Economic and Social Development Fund FBDES, reflecting the government's stake in the venture.

The Burkinabe government plans to procure IT equipment from local company Horizon Industries to support public administration. Authorities approved the signing of a framework agreement for this purpose during the Council of Ministers meeting on Wednesday, February 19.

The official statement did not specify the type or quantity of equipment to be acquired. However, Horizon Industries specializes in assembling laptops, mobile phones, tablets, and household appliances, suggesting that the deal could involve a range of digital devices.

This initiative aligns with the government's broader digital transformation strategy. Burkina Faso aims to position itself as a leader in integrating ICT into key sectors such as public administration, education, healthcare, commerce, and agriculture. As part of this effort, the government launched the rehabilitation of the National Administration Computer Network (RESINA) in 2024. By August 2023, RESINA was already connecting around 2,800 administrative buildings, with an additional 130 sites announced for integration by December 2024.

Despite these ambitions, Burkina Faso currently ranks 175th out of 193 countries in the United Nations E-Government Development Index (EGDI), with a score of 0.2895 out of 1—below the regional averages for West Africa (0.3957), Africa (0.4247), and the world (0.6382).

For the IT initiative to be effective, civil servants will require digital skills to use the new equipment efficiently. Additionally, since many administrative tasks may depend on internet access, ensuring high-speed connectivity across government offices will be crucial.

By Isaac K. Kassouwi,

Editing by Sèna D. B. de Sodji