Burkina Faso strengthens human capital with new World Bank funding

Ouagadougou, November 22, 2025 — The Government of Burkina Faso and the World Bank have finalized a new credit agreement worth $100.4 million, earmarked to enhance the Human Capital Protection Project by ensuring the continuity of essential social services across the country.

This additional funding will reinforce critical initiatives such as free healthcare for women and children, strengthened routine immunization programs, seamless national exam administration, and targeted teacher training programs. These measures are vital to safeguarding human capital and shielding vulnerable populations from ongoing challenges.

Key achievements and progress so far

The initiative, which was first approved in September 2024, has already delivered measurable impact across health and education sectors:

• Health: Over 16 million free consultations provided to women and children under five, alongside the vaccination of 1.13 million children. Reimbursement rates for free healthcare services have also improved, rising from 75% in 2023 to 82% by the end of 2024.
• Education: Successful administration of nine national exams with a 98% participation rate, certification of 99.8% of teachers, and the distribution of 69,000 learning kits to support classroom activities.

Supporting sustainable growth and resilience

« Human capital is the backbone of national development. This additional funding will significantly bolster the government’s efforts to protect and nurture this vital asset — a cornerstone for economic growth and social progress in Burkina Faso, » stated Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, Resident Representative of the World Bank in Burkina Faso.

The Human Capital Protection Project, financed through the International Development Association (IDA), aligns with the World Bank’s regional strategy for West and Central Africa (2021–2025), which prioritizes strengthening institutional capacity to deliver essential services. It is also fully integrated with Burkina Faso’s Country Partnership Framework, reinforcing long-term development goals.

« This additional financing is crucial for consolidating gains in education and health — two sectors deeply impacted by the security crisis. It ensures that all citizens, including internally displaced persons, continue to access high-quality social services, » noted Ousmane Deme, Public Sector Specialist, and Daniel Pajank, Senior Economist, both key project leads at the World Bank.