Burkina Faso implements stricter regulations for private higher education institutions
The Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation (MESRI), under Minister Adjima Thiombiano, has introduced a comprehensive new framework for Private Higher Education Institutions (IPES). Presented on November 13, 2025, at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University, the regulations aim to significantly enhance educational quality across the private higher education sector of Burkina Faso.
The updated framework establishes rigorous requirements across multiple domains: authorization procedures, administrative and academic organization, financial management, quality control, and sanctions.
A key reform mandates that students must pass national examinations supervised by MESRI to obtain Bachelor’s (L3), Master’s (M5), and Doctorate (D8) degrees in all fields. This requirement also applies to progression between years in health science programs.
Admission standards have been strengthened: students must now hold a recognized baccalaureate or equivalent qualification validated by MESRI and possess a mandatory National Student Identifier (INE).
Non-compliant enrollments will result in automatic cancellation of credits and degrees.
Faculty qualifications receive particular attention. New institutions must employ a minimum of three permanent PhD-holding faculty for institutes and private grandes écoles, and five for private universities.
These requirements escalate over time, reaching 50% permanent faculty after twenty years of operation.
Additional significant changes include mandatory ministerial authorization for all new programs, the elimination of thesis defense fees, and the restriction of doctorate awards to exceptional, ministry-approved cases.
These measures collectively represent the commitment of Burkina Faso to ensuring credible qualifications and quality education for its students.
Cédric KABORE
