Baku: The deputies of the People's Legislative Assembly (ALP) adopted yesterday Monday the draft law on the organization of the Communication and Data Regulatory Authority (ARCOD), resulting from the merger of the High Council of Communication (CSC) and the Commission for Information Technology and Freedoms (CIL).

According to Burkina Information Agency, the draft law was examined in a plenary session chaired by Dr. Ousmane Bougouma, President of the People's Legislative Assembly. The Minister of Justice and Human Rights, Edasso Rodrigue Bayala, who is also in charge of Relations with institutions, defended the text.

ARCOD was formed from the merger of the High Council for Communication (CSC), a media regulatory body established in 1995, and the Commission for Information Technology and Freedoms (CIL), responsible for the protection of personal data since 2004 and operational from 2007. The reorganization reflects the gradual convergence of the missions of the two institutions due to the rise of digital technologies, necessitating their collaboration in areas such as privacy protection, personal data management, and online content monitoring.

Minister Bayala elaborated that ARCOD's creation consolidates two previously separate missions: the regulation of public communication from the CSC and the supervision of personal data processing from the CIL. This merger aligns with the revised Constitution's provisions dated January 20, 2026.

The reform is intended to equip Burkina Faso with a singular authority to oversee the communications sector and ensure adherence to personal data protection rules amid the swift advancement of digital technologies. The bill follows the adoption of new legislation on personal data protection, defining ARCOD's missions, responsibilities, organization, composition, and operational procedures.

The text also endows the authority with regulatory power, enabling it to adapt its initiatives to technological advancements and emerging digital practices. During debates, deputies raised observations regarding several aspects of the bill, such as the board's composition, member mandate renewal procedures, and certain transitional provisions.

In response, Minister Bayala explained that the staggered renewal of the first college's members will maintain institutional memory and ensure the continuity of the authority's function. He added that the regulatory power granted to ARCOD should enhance its capacity to manage technological developments, especially in artificial intelligence, beyond the regulatory measures the Government might undertake.

The law's adoption is expected to fortify Burkina Faso's institutional framework for communication regulation and personal data protection, aligning with the rapid evolution of digital practices.