Ouagadougou, September 15, 2026

Prime Minister and Head of Government Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo presided over the official opening ceremony of the 8th edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO) on Tuesday, September 15, 2026, in Ouagadougou, coupled with the first edition of the Energy, Mining, and Hydrocarbons Week of the Alliance of Sahel States (SEMH-AES).

Under the theme “Governance of Extractive Resources: Geopolitical Issues, Challenges, and Opportunities for African States,” this dual event brings together members of the AES governments, experts, investors, and African and international delegations. It aims to strengthen cooperation among member states and promote better utilization of natural resources.

Sovereignty Depends on Control of Resources

In his opening remarks, the Head of Government emphasized that a state’s sovereignty depends on its ability to control and develop its natural resources.

“But simply possessing resources is not enough. The real challenge is to understand them, secure them, process them, and distribute the benefits equitably,” he stated.

To translate this vision into concrete actions, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo identified four key requirements: securing territories and infrastructure, local processing and local content, effective governance, and energy self-sufficiency. In particular, he called for accelerating the development of processing industries and strengthening the participation of domestic companies in markets and supply chains. This ambition remains closely linked to the availability of reliable and accessible energy.

“There can be no industrialization without available, reliable, and affordable energy,” he emphasized.

Pooling Efforts to Build Regional Value Chains

The merger of SAMAO and SEMH-AES reflects the commitment of the countries of the Alliance of Sahel States to pool their resources and expertise in order to develop value chains that benefit their economies. In this vein, the Prime Minister called on stakeholders to move from policy guidelines to tangible results through the implementation of joint projects, the development of shared infrastructure, and the strengthening of research, training, and innovation. He also reaffirmed the openness of the AES region to investors, within the framework of transparent, balanced partnerships that respect the sovereignty of states.

“We expect investors to contribute to the creation of local value, the transfer of technology and skills, the financing of industrialization, and the sustainable development of our territories,” he said.

The Head of Government also emphasized the need to protect the environment, ensure worker safety, and take local communities into account in extractive projects.

Domestic Companies and Youth at the Heart of Transformation

The Prime Minister also urged national companies to organize themselves and strengthen their capacities in order to capture a larger share of the value generated by the mining, energy, and hydrocarbons sectors. Addressing young people, he called for training, innovation, and entrepreneurship.

“Get trained, innovate, and become entrepreneurs,” he encouraged, urging AES engineers, technicians, researchers, and entrepreneurs to become more involved in professions related to extractive resources, energy, and industrial processing.

Discussions Focused on Concrete Solutions

The chair of the organizing committee, Comrade Doulage Sanou, praised the mobilization of various stakeholders around this dual-track event. The program includes high-level panels, technical sessions, business meetings, exhibitions, and field visits. Discussions will focus in particular on governance and the processing of mineral resources, artisanal mining, rural electrification, and hydrocarbon supply.

Through these exchanges, the government expects to receive actionable proposals and projects that could accelerate the industrial and energy transformation of the AES region.

Prime Minister Meets with Exhibitors

Following the opening ceremony, the Head of Government visited the exhibition booths dedicated to the mining, energy, and hydrocarbon sectors. During this visit, he congratulated the exhibitors on their commitment and the expertise they showcased to the public, while encouraging them to continue their efforts.

The participants present welcomed this gesture, which demonstrates the government’s commitment to the development of productive sectors and the utilization of national resources.

SAMAO and SEMH-AES thus serve as platforms for discussion, cooperation, and networking among stakeholders, working toward the sustainable transformation of resources and the economic development of the AES region.

Stay informed about news and events in Burkina Faso

Modernization of Sports Infrastructure: Burkina Faso Begins Construction of the Hôtel du Sportif at Ouaga 2000

Implementation of the RELANCE Plan: The Banking and Financial Sector Mobilizes to Support the National Economy

Modernization of Sports Infrastructure: Burkina Faso Begins Construction on the Hôtel du Sportif at Ouaga 2000

81st UN General Assembly: Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger Join Forces to Give Voice to the AES

Burkina Faso: Headquarters agreements will now be subject to approval by the Council of Ministers

HAKILI Mousso: Young Female Scientific Talents Explore Careers in Telecommunications

Nuclear Cooperation and Health: Burkina Faso Strengthens Its Partnership with the IAEA

Defense: Burkina Faso Opens Its First War College to Train Its Senior Officers at the Strategic Level

Bilateral Cooperation: The 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People&#x27;s Republic of China Celebrated in Ouagadougou

JAES 2026: Burkina Faso Takes the Lead in the Medal Count

Burkina Faso–Canada Cooperation: Prime Minister Hosts Canadian Ambassador at the End of Her Term

Bilateral Cooperation: Burkina Faso and Japan Reaffirm Their Satisfaction with the State of Their Partnership

Year 4 since the Head of State took office: the “Night of the Progressive People’s Revolution” is scheduled for September 30

Burkina Faso–Switzerland: A New Framework for Consultation Announced to Revitalize Cooperation

70th IAEA General Conference: Burkina Faso Reaffirms Its Commitment to Nuclear Energy for Development

Digital Sovereignty: Burkina Faso Launches “Faso Sign,” an Electronic Signature System to Support a Modern Government

Bilateral Cooperation: Burkina Faso and Cuba Reaffirm Their Call for Greater Justice in International Relations

AES Region: The Three States Strengthen Their Cross-Border Cooperation

Mining and Energy at the AES: Burkina Faso Calls for Local Processing of Resources to Accelerate Industrialization

FICNI 2026: Culture at the Heart of Sahelian Reconstruction and Integration

Stay connected to Burkina

Bilateral Cooperation: The 77th Anniversary of the Founding of the People's Republic of China Celebrated in Ouagadougou