Russia and Burkina Faso Strengthen Economic Ties at Moscow Forum

A recent forum in Moscow brought together officials from Russia and Burkina Faso to discuss strengthening economic cooperation between the two countries. The event, titled 'Russia, Burkina Faso: Towards a Sustainable Strategic Partnership,' featured presentations by Jean-Paul Karamé Bakoué, head of the Mining, Quarrying, and Energy Department at the National Authority for Major Projects in the Presidential Administration of Burkina Faso, and Pavel Shibilov, Head of the International Development Project at the Russian Export Center.

Bakoué noted that Burkina Faso is looking to develop trade, economic, energy, and humanitarian ties with Russia, and presented several projects for consideration. Shibilov emphasized the potential for direct cooperation between the two countries, citing existing exports of food products and textiles from Burkina Faso to Russia.

During the forum, representatives of the two countries signed a number of agreements, including a cooperation agreement between the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso and the Tula Chamber of Commerce and Industry. A letter of intent was also signed between Kadvi, a Russian manufacturer of gas turbine engines and autonomous power supply systems, and BN-GPB.

The forum highlighted Russia's growing interest in investing in West Africa, particularly in areas such as energy and mining. The Russian Export Center reported that 1.7 million tonnes of wheat worth $383 million were exported to the region last year, with Nigeria accounting for 70% of the total shipments.