Faced with the growing need for communication, information, and training in areas affected by forced displacement, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) has funded and initiated the creation of a Connectivity Centre in the Kuilsé Region of Burkina Faso.

The centre, which is managed by African Initiatives for Relief and Development (AIRD), offers free high-speed internet access, computer stations, a training room, a collaborative workspace, and a self-sustaining solar energy system to ensure sustainable operation.

As a place of learning and exchange, it welcomes students and teachers for online research and teaches digital skills to young people. Humanitarian organizations use the center for the coordination of their activities, while refugees and internally displaced persons use it to keep in touch with their loved ones.

Despite the challenges related to connectivity, maintenance, and the security context, the centre is a vital space for inclusion and empowerment. The outlook includes extending opening hours, strengthening training and replicating the model in other localities.

The result of a strong partnership between UNHCR and AIRD, the Connectivity Centre is now a symbol of resilience and humanitarian innovation, offering local communities a true gateway to the digital world.