Burkina Faso pioneers local funding for sexual and reproductive health

The African Media Network for Health and Environment Promotion (REMAPSEN) convened a pivotal discussion on Tuesday, March 24, 2026, addressing a critical issue: “Security crisis and declining external funding: what homegrown alternatives can guarantee sexual and reproductive health/family planning rights in Burkina Faso?”

Amidst an ongoing security crisis and the gradual withdrawal of international donors, Burkina Faso faces a significant challenge: ensuring the continued provision of essential sexual and reproductive health (SRH) services.

Statistics from the Ministry of Health reveal that approximately 81% of funding for this vital sector historically came from foreign partners. In recent years, this external contribution has sharply decreased, compelling national stakeholders to develop internal, sustainable solutions.

For Désiré Thiombiano, Director of AMS Synergie Burkina Faso, the pathway forward lies in raising public awareness and directly engaging communities.

He emphasized, “We can no longer simply await the return of our partners. It is imperative that we, as a nation, invest in sexual health to prevent issues like early pregnancies, child marriages, and maternal mortality.”

To achieve this, the expert proposed several key actions: firstly, educating the populace on their crucial role in resource mobilization; secondly, fostering positive masculinity by involving influential opinion and religious leaders in communication and advocacy efforts; and finally, formalizing community-level fundraising through local territorial authorities to ensure transparent and sustainable fund management.

Dr. Clarisse Bougma, representing the Director of Family Health, highlighted the Burkinabè government’s commitment. Between 2020 and 2025, the state allocated approximately 3.9 billion CFA francs towards procuring contraceptives. Despite the reduction in external financial support, the ministry remains dedicated to its initiatives, particularly in remote and hard-to-access regions.

She underscored, “The mobilization of internal resources is a strategic imperative. It will guarantee the longevity of our interventions and accelerate progress towards achieving international objectives.”

Boureima Sanga, Coordinator of REMAPSEN Burkina Faso, explained that this gathering forms part of a broader advocacy drive aimed at enhancing the capabilities of journalists.

“In this era of multiple crises, it is crucial for media professionals to be well-informed about internal financing mechanisms. This enables them to effectively educate the public and bolster our nation’s health sovereignty,” he asserted.

REMAPSEN, established in June 2020, consistently organizes such national forums, supported by the Ouagadougou Partnership, to champion local and enduring solutions for health and environmental promotion.