Ouagadougou – Burkina Faso’s National Lottery (LONAB) and the National Fund for Education and Research (FONER) have signed a financing agreement worth 1.25 billion CFA francs aimed at improving the living and study conditions of students.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Aboubakar Nacanabo, the agreement was formalized in Ouagadougou on Monday, June 10, 2024, and stipulates an annual disbursement of 250 million CFA francs over five years, from 2024 to 2028.

This initiative, Nacanabo explained, is intended to address the financial challenges associated with higher education and is specifically targeted at non-scholarship students enrolled in public universities. It also supports second-year master’s and doctoral students by covering research-related expenses and participation in conferences, seminars, and workshops. Moreover, the funding extends to social, cultural, and sporting activities conducted by student associations and organizations. Reaffirming the importance of education in Burkina Faso, Minister Nacanabo emphasized LONAB’s commitment to sustaining such initiatives within its financial capabilities. This recent agreement builds on the previous one from November 2018, which had expired.