Introduction

Abstract

Simon Compaoré reminisced on 21 August 2012 about challenges overcome and lessons learned as Mayor of Ouagadougou.¹ He became Mayor in 1995 at 42, holding the position for 17 years, during which he witnessed dramatic changes. Ouagadougou’s population more than tripled from 500,000 people in the 1990s to 1.5 million by the time he left office in 2012. Estimates attribute two thirds of the growth to migration from rural areas and neighboring countries.² Ouagadougou got more connected to the rest of the world during this period.³ The city witnessed tremendous flows of foreign direct investment since the mid-1990s, fueled by telecommunications and mining. More people came to offer ideas and advice in all sectors, including on city management. Ouagadougou became more complex before his eyes, and he led with full consciousness of this complexity and the ensuing dynamics and risks.