Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche scientifique et de l'Innovation MESRSI

Overview

The Ministère de l’Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche scientifique et de l’Innovation (MESRSI) is Burkina Faso’s national ministry responsible for policy, regulation and development in higher education, scientific research and innovation. Established in 2007 by unifying responsibilities for universities and research, it oversees public and private post‑secondary institutions, postgraduate training, doctoral scholarships and the national science and innovation agenda. According to uniRank, MESRSI plays a key role in ensuring universities meet national standards and align with economic and societal needs.

History and Legal Framework

MESRSI was formally created in 2007 with the merger of higher education and research portfolios. In 2013, Burkina Faso enacted a national Science, Technology and Innovation Act inaugurating dedicated national funds for research and innovation (including education and mining levies) and establishing mechanisms for research financing. The Ministry led the adoption of the French‐inspired Licence‑Master‑Doctorat (LMD) framework across all universities starting in the early 2010s to harmonise degree cycles and align with regional standards.

Mission, Vision and Objectives

MESRSI’s core mission is to implement governmental policy to produce well‑qualified professionals and researchers, thereby contributing to Burkina Faso’s socioeconomic development. It aims to strengthen the culture of scientific research, promote innovation and ensure equitable access to higher education.

• Prepare students for labour markets through accredited programmes and research training;
• Support postgraduate education (Master, Doctorate) and doctoral scholarship schemes;
• Promote gender equality and expanded access for rural and disadvantaged groups;
• Encourage partnerships between academia, industry and policymakers;
• Advance national innovation through centres of excellence and research funding.

Governance, Structure and Independence

The Ministry operates under the Government of Burkina Faso but enjoys administrative autonomy for recognizing institutions, accrediting programmes and overseeing research ethics. Its structure comprises three central directorates:

• Direction Générale de l’Enseignement supérieur (DGESup) – planning, admissions, postgraduate oversight;
• Direction Générale de la Recherche scientifique et de l’Innovation – research strategy, funding, science policy;
• Direction Générale des Études et des Statistiques sectorielles (DGESS) – data collection, monitoring and evaluation.

The Minister, appointed by presidential decree, heads MESRSI; since October 2022 the office has been held by Professor Adjima Thiombiano. A Secretariat‑General coordinates administrative services. While budgeted by the Ministry of Finance, MESRSI regulates public and private institutions independently of operational autonomy granted under national law.

Accreditation and Quality Evaluation

MESRSI grants official recognition or licenses to public universities and private institutions (IPES), ensuring compliance with national curricula, staffing and infrastructure standards. Programmes leading to state diplomas must adhere to LMD structures. The Ministry compiles and publishes annual statistics on student enrolment, faculty and resources to inform policy. Quality assurance is further supported through membership in the Conseil Africain et Malgache pour l’Enseignement Supérieur (CAMES), a regional body with head office in Ouagadougou which evaluates degree equivalence, oversees faculty promotions and enforces pan‑African standards.

International Cooperation and Network Memberships

MESRSI represents Burkina Faso in bilateral and multilateral partnerships led by organizations such as UNESCO, the World Bank, the African Union and regional bodies. Since joining the Partnership for skills in Applied Sciences, Engineering and Technology (PASET) in 2020, MESRSI has contributed US $2 million to the RSIF (Regional Scholarship & Innovation Fund). The Minister serves on PASET’s Governing Council and the Director General for Higher Education sits on its Executive Board, facilitating access to doctoral grants and partnerships. National institutions such as 2iE (International Institute for Water & Environmental Engineering) benefit from international accreditations (e.g. EUR‑ACE, CTI, AUF, CGE). MESRSI also works with Francophone networks like the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie to support student mobility, research collaboration and faculty exchange.

Current and Future Impact on Higher Education

MESRSI’s recent initiatives include launching a national call in 2024 for 100 Master’s and Doctoral scholarships sponsored by the state and partner institutions. It is a key implementing agency for the World Bank’s Burkina Faso Higher Education Support Project (Project P164293), which aims to enhance institutional quality, scale up student access and establish the Université Virtuelle du Faso (UV‑BF). The project is also financing faculty development and innovation grants in priority fields. Combined with RSIF and innovation fund contributions, these reforms are expected to increase student enrollment, reduce dropout rates, strengthen postgraduate training and boost research outputs in STEM and development sectors.

Summary

MESRSI, founded in 2007, serves as Burkina Faso’s central authority for higher education, research and innovation. Following legal frameworks in 2013 that established national research funds, it oversees the implementation of the LMD degree system, accredits institutions, compiles sector statistics and guides science policy. With structured governance through DGESup, DGESS and the research directorate, MESRSI acts autonomously to enforce standards, while cooperating with CAMES and international networks. Recent reforms and projects under its leadership signal enhanced quality, increased access and accelerated impact for the country’s higher education system. According to uniRank, its role is foundational to aligning Burkina Faso’s universities and research with regional and global expectations.

FAQs

1. When was MESRSI created?
   MESRSI was officially founded in 2007 by merging national higher education and research portfolios into one ministry.
2. What is its main mission?
   The ministry’s mission is to implement national policy for universities and research, train high‑level professionals, expand access to education and support innovation aligned with Burkina Faso’s development goals.
3. How is MESRSI structured?
   It comprises three main directorates—DGESup, Research & Innovation and Studies & Statistics—and is led by a minister and a Secretariat‑General.
4. Who accredits universities and degree programmes in Burkina Faso?
   MESRSI issues licenses and programme approvals; regional accreditation and evaluation is coordinated through CAMES, which certifies LMD degrees and evaluates teaching‑research staff.
5. Does Burkina Faso participate in international networks?
   Yes. The ministry is active in PASET/RSIF, UNESCO’s higher education initiatives, the Agence universitaire de la Francophonie and hosts CAMES headquarters in Ouagadougou.
6. What are the most recent reforms by MESRSI?
   Recent steps include launching national postgraduate scholarship schemes, implementing the virtual university (UV‑BF) under a World Bank project and increasing faculty training and research funding to boost innovation.

Organization Name

Ministère de l'Enseignement supérieur, de la Recherche scientifique et de l'Innovation
Ministry of Higher Education, Scientific Research and Innovation

Acronym

MESRSI

Year of Establishment

1/01/2007

Control Type

Public

Entity Type

Non-Profit

Geo Focus and Coverage

National

Recognized by

n.a.

Affiliations or Memberships

n.a.

Number of Member Universities or Accredited Institutions

n.a.

Address

BP 7130
Ouagadougou
03 Kadiogo Burkina Faso

Phone

+226 50 32 45 52

Fax

+226 50 30 28 98

n.a.

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