• Burkina Faso has issued more than 600,000 criminal record certificates and nearly 70,000 nationality certificates through digital platforms.
• Authorities have expanded online justice services to include business registry documents and digital filing and tracking of criminal complaints.
• A persistent digital divide continues to limit adoption, with internet access reaching 72% in urban areas but only 27% in rural regions.

Burkina Faso is continuing the modernization of its judicial system through digital technologies. Platforms deployed by the Ministry of Justice have enabled the issuance of more than 600,000 criminal record certificates and nearly 70,000 nationality certificates, highlighting the acceleration of digital public services for citizens. Authorities disclosed these figures during the National Forum on the Digitalization of Justice, which took place in Ouagadougou from June 2 to June 3. These results reflect progress achieved in recent years through the online delivery of administrative procedures.

In addition to platforms dedicated to criminal records and nationality certificates, the country launched a digital service in February for documents derived from the Trade and Personal Property Credit Register (RCCM). The service has already enabled the issuance of approximately 2,000 documents.

Moreover, authorities have implemented a system that allows citizens to file and track criminal complaints online. Despite these advances, access to digital judicial services continues to face a major obstacle: the digital divide.

Data presented during the National Forum on the Digitalization of Justice showed that internet access reaches about 72% in urban areas, compared with only 27% in rural areas. The figures highlight significant inequalities in access to digital technologies across the country.

World Bank data for 2024 showed that only 37.24% of the population owned a smartphone. Meanwhile, DataReportal estimated that Burkina Faso had 5.42 million internet users at the end of 2025. As a result, the digital divide remains a major challenge for the government's administrative transformation agenda.

While online services reduce processing times and eliminate unnecessary travel for users, a large share of the population still lacks the devices or connectivity required to access those services. Consequently, the overall impact of digitalization remains constrained.

In response, authorities are considering additional support measures to broaden access. Officials have discussed integrating national languages into digital platforms, developing solutions for citizens with limited literacy skills, and expanding connectivity infrastructure in rural areas.

Furthermore, these measures will complement existing initiatives already underway.

Authorities are currently deploying telecommunications infrastructure in underserved areas and establishing digital community centers. These facilities will serve as local access points that allow citizens to connect to the internet and use a range of digitized public services.

This article was initially published in French by Samira Njoya

Adapted in English by Ange J.A de Berry Quenum