Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe government announced a significant territorial reorganization aimed at enhancing the strategic defense of the nation, which has been grappling with security challenges over the years. The reorganization involves redistricting the national territory into 17 regions and 47 provinces, a move justified by the need for a more robust defense strategy.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Minister of State in charge of Territorial Administration, €š¬°mile Zerbo, emphasized that the rethinking of territorial boundaries was necessary due to the limitations of the previous divisions, which were primarily based on political and economic factors. The current security situation has necessitated this shift to address contemporary challenges more effectively.
Minister Zerbo elaborated on the motivations behind the redistricting during a press conference on Thursday, July 3, 2025. He highlighted that the move is intended to enhance the state’s presence, particularly in border areas, and improve the delivery of public services. This reorganization is expected to reduce regional disparities and facilitate a more effective response from the state to the needs of its citizens.
Additionally, the government has decreed that regional place names will be changed to reflect national languages, promoting the country’s cultural and historical heritage. This aims to foster a stronger sense of national identity and social cohesion, ensuring that the names resonate with the socio-cultural and linguistic realities of Burkina Faso.
The administrative restructuring also seeks to rectify erroneous transcriptions of locality names, such as changing Kossin to Kossi, which means “at the foot of the river,” and adopting Sandbontenga from the founder of the canton of Sanmatenga. These changes are part of an effort to promote greater territorial ownership among the population.
The decision followed extensive consultations with key stakeholders, including academics and traditional leaders. During discussions on political, institutional, and administrative reforms, held from July 10 to 12, 2023, more than 69% of participants supported the idea of a new administrative division, as stated by Minister €š¬°mile Zerbo.