Burkina Faso research partnership
last updated on april 28, 2026
Essential information about the Burkina Faso research partnership
The Burkina Faso research partnership primarily involves two key institutions: the Centre Muraz of the National Public Health Institute (INSP) in Bobo-Dioulasso and the International Centre for Health Research (CRIS/UO) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University in Ouagadougou.
- Key players: Ministry of Health of Burkina Faso, Centre Muraz/INSP, CRIS, PCCEI UMR 1058 Montpellier, French Embassy in Burkina Faso, ANRS MIE
- Main actions: strengthening national and international collaborations, supporting young researchers, assisting Burkinabè teams in responding to project calls, and reinforcing the Centre Muraz/INSP and CRIS facilities
- Research priorities: HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus, tuberculosis, Covid-19, arboviruses
In brief
Established in
2001
Leaders
Dr Dramane Kania (Burkina Faso Coordinator), Prof. Nicolas Nagot (France Coordinator)
Physical hosting
Centre Muraz/INSP, Bobo-Dioulasso, and CRIS/UO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Partnership origins
Franco-Burkinabè collaborations in health research began in 1999. The partnership was formally established in 2001 and officially recognized in 2006 through a framework agreement between ANRS and the Ministry of Health, centered around the Centre Muraz in Bobo-Dioulasso.
Collaboration expanded to include the Centre for International Health Research (CRIS/UO) at Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ) in Ouagadougou.
In recent years, the Burkina Faso partnership’s scope has broadened to include emerging and re-emerging infectious diseases to address public health and scientific challenges in Burkina Faso and the region. Research follows the One Health approach within a global health context.
Centre Muraz and CRIS
Centre Muraz, located in Bobo-Dioulasso, is a technical division of the National Public Health Institute (INSP). Its missions include research, training, and expertise across four major programs: infectious diseases, epidemic-prone diseases, sexual and reproductive health, and health policy and system management. The centre features a high-level technical laboratory for infectious disease diagnostics and innovation, along with a methodological and data management centre for research.
The Centre for International Health Research (CRIS/UO) is a research and training entity within Joseph Ki-Zerbo University (UJKZ) in Ouagadougou. It aims to establish an international research platform at UJKZ and train young health professionals in medical research. Research activities focus on HIV/AIDS and global health challenges.
Key dates in the Franco-Burkinabè collaboration
Partnership governance and collaborators
Burkina Faso Coordinator: Dr Dramane Kania
Centre Muraz/INSP, Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
France Coordinator: Prof. Nicolas Nagot
PCCEI/UMR1058, Inserm, EFS, University of Montpellier, University of the Antilles, France
Deputy Coordinator: Dr Désiré Dahourou
Institute of Health Sciences Research (IRSS), Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso
Honorary Coordinator: Prof. Nicolas Meda
CRIS/UO, Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
Partnership activities
- Collaboration with patient associations, health system actors, and policymakers from the outset of new research projects to facilitate knowledge production and transfer
- Scientific animation: organizing exchange days with research and health actors on specific themes aligned with Burkina Faso’s priorities and the region
- Expanding and strengthening collaborations at national (IRSS Nanoro, Nouna, CNRFP, CORUS, LCR, ONSP, etc.) and regional/international levels with ANRS MIE’s international network actors, WHO, and others
- Continuing training and capacity-building for young researchers and research teams (project writing, policy briefs, knowledge transfer, article writing)
- Supporting Burkinabè research teams in responding to project calls and implementing initiatives
- Enhancing Centre Muraz/INSP’s technical capabilities for quality research and upgrading CRIS infrastructure to provide adequate space for research coordination
Evolving research focus areas
HIV, STIs, and co-infections with tuberculosis and viral hepatitis
Since the 1990s, Franco-Burkinabè health research collaboration has focused on HIV prevention, diagnosis, and management.
Therapeutic trials have been conducted and continue today on mother-to-child transmission prevention (Kesho-Bora, Promise PEP, PREVENIR PEV, TRI MOM); treatment adherence and antiretroviral therapies (THILAO, MOBIDIP, 2LADY); and tuberculosis diagnosis in children living with HIV (PAANTHER).
Research on HIV and STI prevention in key populations (Yérelon cohorts for sex workers and CohMSM for men who have sex with men) has assessed the feasibility and operational effectiveness of behavioral and biomedical strategies.
Social sciences have explored the experiences of people living with HIV and access to care for women living with HIV.
Biological research has analyzed HIV transmission (sexual and mother-to-child), treatment resistance, virus genetic diversity, and the impact of HIV-tuberculosis co-infection.
Studies on viral hepatitis have revealed high HBV and HCV prevalence with heterogeneous distribution, proposing targeted intervention strategies (REVERSO).
Emerging infectious diseases research
New research areas have emerged, including arboviruses (ARBOFASO) and Covid-19, with studies evaluating treatments (COVERAGE Africa), diagnostics, and the virus’s impact using a One Health approach.
Current research priorities
The Site partenaire Burkina Faso and its collaborators focus on HIV, viral hepatitis, human papillomavirus (HPV), tuberculosis, Covid-19, and arboviruses. Research spans innovation, diagnostics, clinical trials, fundamental research, public health, and social sciences, including:
- Clinical research: treatment simplification strategies, cervical cancer diagnosis and management in people living with HIV, emerging disease treatment (Covid-19), diagnostic innovation (HBV)
- HIV across the lifespan: mother-to-child transmission prevention, adolescence and transition to adulthood, aging
- Vulnerable populations: men who have sex with men (PrEP, STIs), sex workers, street children, drug users
- Hepatitis: hepatitis C and E epidemiology, environmental impact (HBV and aflatoxins)
- Quadruple elimination of mother-to-child transmission (HIV, HBV, syphilis, Chagas disease)
- Emerging infectious diseases: dengue and other arboviruses, Covid-19, and epidemic preparedness
Partnership contributions
The partnership has strengthened Centre Muraz’s research capabilities and those of other Burkinabè research teams, fostering scientific innovation, young researcher training, health policy development, and community engagement.
The partnership has strengthened Centre Muraz, leading to its national recognition and integration in 2018 as a research technical division of the National Public Health Institute (INSP). ANRS MIE supported its equipment, including a welcome structure for cohorts, a P2 molecular virology laboratory, an immunology laboratory, and a data processing centre.
In 2021, thanks to the Site partenaire, Centre Muraz joined the AFROSCREEN network for SARS-CoV-2 variant sequencing and other pathogens, installing a genomics platform and acquiring an Illumina MiniSeq sequencer.
The Site partenaire also facilitated the creation of CRIS/UO, enhancing research coordination in Ouagadougou.
The Burkina Faso Site partenaire collaborates with Nazi Boni University (UNB) and UJKZ to support master’s and PhD student training. This support has fostered the emergence of young researchers who are key drivers of infectious disease research and policy guidance in Burkina Faso.
Associated researchers participate in various national and international technical groups to develop recommendations, including national committees for SARS-CoV-2 variant surveillance and HIV testing algorithm validation, and WHO working groups on HIV/hepatitis/STI therapeutics and breastfeeding.
The partnership also supports associations and community committees engaged in the fight against HIV and viral hepatitis in Burkina Faso. These actors contribute to scientific animation and research projects, particularly those targeting vulnerable populations.
Despite geopolitical challenges, the Site partenaire continues to unite research actors, highlighting the research conducted and exploring new perspectives for Burkina Faso and the region.
