AFREEQUE
Top stories
🇧🇫 Burkina FasoPolitics

Cyber scams cost Burkina Faso more than 9 billion CFA francs

By , based on Lepays

Cyber scams cost Burkina Faso more than 9 billion CFA francsIllustrative image · PNW Production · Pexels · Licence Pexels

Burkina Faso’s Central Brigade for Combating Cybercrime recorded more than 9 billion CFA francs in losses linked to online scams between 2020 and 2025. The losses include cryptocurrency and mobile money scams and digital blackmail, according to Lepays, during the National Cybercrime Awareness Week held from 26 to 30 October 2026 in Ouagadougou.

The Central Brigade for Combating Cybercrime recorded more than 9 billion CFA francs in losses linked to online scams in Burkina Faso between 2020 and 2025, according to the daily Lepays. The losses resulted in particular from cryptocurrency scams, fake investments, fraudulent official messages, blackmail involving intimate videos and mobile money-related manipulation.

The second edition of the National Cybercrime Awareness Week is being held from 26 to 30 October 2026 in Ouagadougou. The campaign aims to raise public awareness of methods used by scammers, who notably ask for secret codes or promise to quickly multiply entrusted money, according to Lepays.

Fraudsters exploit both financial hardship and the hope of quick gains. Some victims hand over money intended for everyday expenses, gas, food or their children’s schooling after being lured by promises of high returns, the newspaper reports.

Share this article

Related stories

Le Faso Digital showcases 201 Burkinabè digital solutions

The second edition of Le Faso Digital was launched on 17 October 2026 in Ouagadougou, with 201 Burkinabè digital solutions presented on a virtual platform. Organised by Lefaso.net until 24 October, the fair aims to promote local innovations, according to its organisers.

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso · Source: Burkina 24 ·

Burkina Faso police seize nearly 400 motorcycles in three hours

Burkina Faso’s National Police seized nearly 400 motorcycles in three hours in Ouagadougou on the night of 23 October 2026 during checks on helmet use. The operation is part of the “Hard Head Shield” campaign; from 1 to 3 October, 3,231 vehicles had already been impounded nationwide, according to the police.

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso · Source: Beninwebtv ·

Nearly 400 road users stopped over helmets in Ouagadougou

Burkina Faso’s national police stopped nearly 400 road users in three hours in Ouagadougou during a nighttime operation targeting helmet non-use. The ‘Hardened Head Shield’ operation took place on 23 October 2026 under the supervision of the regional police director for Kadiogo, according to the officials leading it.

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso · Source: Netafrique ·

Burkina plans 30 billion CFA francs for artificial intelligence

The Burkinabe government plans to mobilise 30 billion CFA francs over five years to develop artificial intelligence and create 5,000 specialised jobs by 2030. The 2026–2030 national roadmap was approved on 19 June after ten months of consultations, and its official publication is still awaited, according to Lefaso and Dr Yaya Traoré.

🇧🇫 Burkina Faso · Source: Lefaso ·

🇧🇫 Latest from Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso prime minister promotes local processing at Russia-Africa summitBurkina Faso prime minister promotes local processing at Russia-Africa summitBurkina Faso’s Prime Minister Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo travelled to Moscow on 26 October 2026 to represent President Ibrahim Traoré at the third Russia-Africa summit, scheduled for 28 and 29 October. The delegation plans to promote local processing, technological mastery and youth training projects, according to the Burkina Faso Prime Minister’s Office.All Burkina Faso news →

Politics in West Africa

Nigeria considers postponing 2027 elections over EbolaNigeria considers postponing 2027 elections over EbolaNigeria could postpone its 2027 general elections if the Ebola outbreak spreads far enough to become a major public health threat, Jide Idris, director-general of the Nigeria Centre for Disease Control, said. However, he hopes the vote scheduled for January will go ahead as planned, according to Channels Television.All Politics news →

The week in Africa

This week’s highlights

  1. Ebola affects 66 health zones in seven Congolese provinces🇨🇩 DR Congo
  2. Algeria approves troop deployment to Niger to protect energy facilities🇩🇿 Algeria
  3. Flávio Bolsonaro seeks annulment of Brazil’s presidential election🇧🇷 Brazil
  4. Forty-eight African countries expected at Russia-Africa summit in Moscow🇷🇺 Russia
  5. Gabon officially launches its 5G networks🇬🇦 Gabon
All of this week’s highlights →

Africa in your inbox

Be the first to get our letter in English: the essentials from every region of the continent, free.

← Back to the news