Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso – On Friday, November 14, 2025, Burkina Faso marked a historic milestone on its journey towards a more inclusive society. Under the visionary leadership of the Honorable Roland Somda, Minister of Sports, Youth and Employment, the Government of Burkina Faso has officially joined the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion. The moment was commemorated during a lively signing ceremony in Ouagadougou, led by Minister Somda and Dr. Toé, a dedicated board member of Special Olympic Games Burkina Faso.
By signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU), Burkina Faso has promised to expand Special Olympic Games Unified Sports® programs across the country. Over the next three years, this groundbreaking partnership will introduce Unified Sports to 60 schools, providing transformative opportunities for 2,250 youth, including Special Olympics athletes and Unified Partners. This initiative is not just a promise, but it is a bold, actionable step toward fostering a culture of acceptance, respect and support for people with intellectual disability within the education system and beyond.
“For us, progress is reflected in the attention paid to the most vulnerable. This partnership illustrates our commitment to valuing diversity and providing opportunities to every Burkinabè. Together we are building the path to a fairer, more united and inclusive future,” said Minister Roland Somda of the Ministry of Sports, Youth and Employment.
Burkina Faso is now proudly the 18th country and the first French-speaking country in the African region to join the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion. This milestone reflects the country’s continued commitment to creating a society where everyone, regardless of their abilities, can reach their full potential. By formally joining the Global Coalition for Inclusion, the Government of Burkina Faso and Special Olympics Burkina Faso reaffirm their shared commitment to removing barriers and promoting a spirit of unity and inclusivity.
“We are proud to lead by example in French-speaking West Africa, and we will support other French-speaking programs to participate in this transformative, life-changing and community-building program,” said Dr. Ernest Toé, board member of Special Olympics Burkina Faso.
“This partnership is more than an agreement – it is a promise of hope, unity and empowerment for thousands of families and communities. Every young person, regardless of his or her abilities, deserves the opportunity to shine,” added Annik Pikbougoum, national director of Special Olympics Burkina Faso and a local educator and advocate.
The signing of this MoU is not just a formal agreement; it is a call for transformation. It marks an important milestone in Burkina Faso’s journey towards defending the rights and opportunities of people with intellectual disabilities. Through this partnership, Burkina Faso shines a beacon of hope across the region, inspiring countries near and far to follow its courageous example.
“This partnership will empower our fellow athletes, promote unity and improve the quality of life for people with intellectual disabilities. Unified Sports brings our schools and communities together and inspires us all to embrace inclusivity and celebrate the unique strengths of each individual,” said Nyasha Derera, Coordinator, Athlete Leadership and Youth Engagement, Special Olympics Africa.
As Burkina Faso embarks on this new chapter with the Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion, it reaffirms the country’s belief that together every border can be overcome, every community can be united and every individual can thrive..
“I am optimistic that more governments in the African region will join the Global Coalition for Inclusion as they have witnessed the value of the coalition as it supports the fulfillment of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (UN-SDG) and the Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (CRPD) to which most governments are signatories. More importantly, the Unified Sports activities are being held in the schools through the Global Coalition for Inclusion as suggested by research conducted shows that the school communities are positively impacted, making learning conducive and engaging for all students.”
Charles Nyambe, President and CEO of Special Olympics Africa
The Coalition, made possible by a generous grant from the Stavros Niarchos Foundation (SNF), is amplified by key global and societal stakeholders, including Lions Clubs International Foundationthe United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the UN Refugee Agency (UNHCR), Fondation Botnar, and textile brand H&M Move. Together, their support helps fuel community-based inclusion efforts worldwide.
For more information and ongoing initiatives, visit Special Olympics Global Coalition for Inclusion.
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