Chad and Burkina Faso establish strategic technology collaboration aimed at enhancing digital skills
Collaboration Framework Agreement Boosts African Digital Skills and Capacity
On July 29, 2025, a significant step forward in African technological cooperation was taken as the International Institute of Water and Environmental Engineering (2iE) in Burkina Faso and the Agency for Information and Communication Technologies Development (ADETIC) from Chad signed a Collaboration Framework Agreement. The event, presided over by M. Roger Baro, the Burkinabe Minister of Environment, Water and Sanitation, marked a landmark date in the history of African technological cooperation.
The agreement prioritizes ambitious and concrete South-South cooperation, with a focus on developing technological skills and building human capital in Africa. The partnership has three main pillars:
- Training Chadian professionals in artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies to address the shortage of specialized skills needed for digital economy growth and public administration modernization.
- Hosting Burkinabe interns within ADETIC to facilitate knowledge exchange and deepen practical experience.
- Developing joint applied research projects focusing on digital governance, local innovation, and sustainable development, aiming to produce relevant African technological solutions.
The strategic partnership between 2iE and ADETIC will not only professionalize and digitally skill enhance Chadian officials and professionals but also strengthen academic ties and research collaboration between institutions. This partnership will contribute to African digital governance and innovation ecosystems and foster regional integration and capacity building through mutual benefits from internship and knowledge exchange programs.
Additionally, Chad's National School of ICT (ENASTIC) and 2iE signed a separate academic collaboration protocol to support exchanges and co-develop educational programs, reinforcing the framework's educational impact. This partnership exemplifies a forward-looking African partnership model utilizing South-South cooperation, where Burkina Faso—a country with more advanced training infrastructure in digital technology—supports Chad's efforts to build its digital workforce.
Key diplomatic and ministerial figures, including Dr. Boukar Michel, Chadian Minister of Telecommunications, Digital Economy and Digitalization of the Administration, and H.E.M. Mahamat Saleh Adoum, Ambassador of Chad to Burkina Faso, were present at the ceremony held at 2iE in Burkina Faso.
In conclusion, the agreement's scope extends beyond bilateral training to creating a scalable and sustainable framework for technological skills development and digital economy readiness in Africa through South-South collaboration. Its impact includes professionalization and digital skill enhancement for Chadian officials and professionals, strengthened academic ties and research collaboration between institutions, contributions to African digital governance and innovation ecosystems, and mutual benefits from internship and knowledge exchange programs that foster regional integration and capacity building. This partnership thus plays a strategic role in addressing Africa's digital skills gap and promoting sustainable development through technology.
[1] Collaboration Framework Agreement between 2iE and ADETIC [2] Academic Collaboration Protocol between ENASTIC and 2iE [3] African Development Bank: Addressing Africa's Digital Skills Gap
Technology and education are at the forefront of the Collaboration Framework Agreement between 2iE and ADETIC, aiming to train Chadian professionals in artificial intelligence and emerging digital technologies, as well as hosting Burkinabe interns for knowledge exchange. The goal is to develop joint applied research projects in digital governance, local innovation, and sustainable development, promoting learning opportunities and producing African technological solutions. The agreement also extends to the Academic Collaboration Protocol between ENASTIC and 2iE, intended to support exchanges and co-develop educational programs. These initiatives, driven by South-South cooperation, strive to address Africa's digital skills gap, foster regional integration, and promote self-development and online education through technology.
