Burkina Faso secures new funding for health system resilience and equity

WASHINGTON, January 24, 2025 – The World Bank has officially approved significant new funding to bolster Burkina Faso’s healthcare infrastructure. This initiative, known as the Project for Strengthening Health System Performance and Resilience (PRPRSS), secures a €142 million credit (equivalent to $150 million USD) from the International Development Association (IDA)*, alongside a $17 million grant from the Global Financing Facility (GFF). The total $167 million investment aims to transform health outcomes across the nation.

Primarily focusing on the most vulnerable populations—adolescents, women, and children under five—this comprehensive project seeks to significantly enhance disease surveillance capabilities and boost the utilization of essential health and nutrition services. Its reach will extend nationwide, with a critical emphasis on providing care to internally displaced persons and communities facing restricted access to vital healthcare provisions.

“Human development is paramount for fostering social inclusion and remains a top priority for the World Bank,” stated Hamoud Abdel Wedoud Kamil, the World Bank’s Resident Representative for Burkina Faso. “This new project is designed to bolster government efforts in building resilience and effectively managing the pressing challenges within the health sector. It also complements our recently approved Human Capital Protection Project, a $100.4 million initiative focused on enhancing the delivery of fundamental social services.”

This significant undertaking aligns seamlessly with the World Bank’s strategic vision for the West and Central Africa region. Its core objective is to strengthen the social contract by reinforcing the fundamental institutions responsible for delivering crucial basic social services.

“Ensuring access to healthcare for women, adolescents, and children represents one of the most invaluable investments governments can make to steer their nations towards development and sustained prosperity,” emphasized Luc Laviolette, Head of the GFF Secretariat. “The GFF is proud to stand with the government of Burkina Faso in constructing a highly effective and resilient health system, guaranteeing essential care for these key demographics, particularly within the most vulnerable and fragile regions.”

Moussa Dieng, the World Bank’s Health Portfolio Manager, explained, “This project arrives at a crucial moment, poised to significantly bolster the nation’s capabilities in preparing for and responding to health emergencies. Concurrently, it will elevate the quality and uptake of health and nutrition services. Furthermore, it continues the World Bank’s steadfast support for the various reforms undertaken by the Ministry of Health, aiming to fortify governance, promote equity, and ensure sustainable financing across the health sector.”