Burkina faso: Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo reaffirmed on Friday before the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) that the battle for water constitutes a strategic fight for national resilience, during his speech on the state of the nation.

According to Burkina Information Agency, faced with the security, climate, and humanitarian challenges facing Burkina Faso, the Head of Government Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo stressed that equitable and sustainable access to drinking water remains an essential lever for social stability, public health, and economic development.

He praised the efforts made by the State and its technical and financial partners, which in 2025 improved safe access to drinking water for more than 1.3 million Burkinabe. He explained that these results were achieved through the construction of several thousand drinking water supply projects, the rehabilitation of hydraulic infrastructure, and the extension of private connections, particularly in rural and peri-urban areas.

The Prime Minister also stressed the importance of maintaining infrastructure and strengthening local water management capacities. Addressing the issue of sanitation, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo acknowledged that significant challenges remain, particularly regarding access to adequate hygiene facilities.

To that end, he announced that the year 2026 will be dedicated to universal and sustainable access to water and sanitation, with a particular focus on combating waterborne diseases and improving the living conditions of populations. The Head of Government also established a close link between water management and the preservation of natural resources. He indicated that the actions undertaken in the water sector are part of a comprehensive vision that includes strengthening the sustainable management of forest and wildlife resources, which are essential for protecting watersheds and combating desertification.