Burkina Faso’s PROTAF breathes new life into old computers, recycling tech for digital inclusion

BURKINA FASO – Burkina Faso’s PROTAF program has launched a pioneering computer recycling initiative, with its pilot project transforming 22 central units, 10 functional screens, and dozens of keyboards from government surplus into digital lifelines for vulnerable communities across the country.

The pilot project, presented in Ouagadougou on March 14, 2026, recovered outdated computer hardware from public administration and restored it to working condition through a team of student-supported technicians.

Wagnin Zerbo, PROTAF coordinator, explained that the initiative was born from a simple but powerful belief: unused equipment can still serve others, and recycling to support vulnerable groups brings real satisfaction to everyone involved.

From Surplus to Opportunity: The Numbers

The initial collection from public administration yielded 30 computers, 30 keyboards, 30 central units, 30 mice, 10 printers, and 10 inverters.

After refurbishment, the team rehabilitated 22 central units, 10 functional screens, 10 keyboards, 24 power cables, 12 VGA cables, and 5 inverters, equipment that might otherwise have languished in storage or ended up in landfills.

Instead, these restored devices are now destined for communities eager to join the digital age.

Digital Education Meets Social Impact

The recycling effort is paired with a robust digital education component.

From March 16-19, 2026, 30 women in Gourcy received hands-on training in office software and internet navigation.

Five computers have been provided specifically to enable income-generating activities, such as setting up public secretariats.

Key beneficiaries include widows of the Defense and Security Forces, women’s associations, and other vulnerable groups who have long been excluded from digital opportunities.

The training sessions also introduce participants to state-developed digital services, including the “Zama Tchey – the Citizen’s House” platform, which simplifies access to public services.

Under a 2026–2030 plan, the government and La Poste Burkina Faso are jointly financing the construction of 20 such hubs at an estimated total cost of 5.5 billion CFA francs (approximately US$9.7 million).

A National Recycling Blueprint Takes Shape

Somborigna Djélika Drabo, Director of Communication and Press Relations at the Ministry of Digital Transition, praised the citizen-led recycling initiative as perfectly aligned with the national digital transformation strategy.

The Ministry has reaffirmed its support, particularly through technical expertise provided by its specialized structures.

The project follows the January 2026 inauguration of two modular government data centers in Ouagadougou, part of the “zero data abroad” strategy, which together provide 3,000 terabytes of storage, 105,600 GB of memory, and 28,800 CPU cores supporting over 7,000 virtual machines.

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