Burkina Faso partners with African diaspora for national development
via Lefaso.net6 min read
Burkina Faso has advanced its cooperation with the African diaspora by signing a memorandum of understanding with the African Diaspora Development Institute ADDI in Ouagadougou on April 21, 2026. The agreement, presided over by Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré, aims to leverage the expertise and resources of Afro-descendants for the country's development. Key initiatives include establishing a microfinance institution to support Burkinabe populations and economic actors, and providing technical and vocational training. The executive director of the National Bureau of Major Projects, Professor Hamidou Sawadogo, stated that ADDI will support Burkina Faso in technical and vocational training, with an immediate donation planned for the Ziniaré reference center. The memorandum also outlines plans for healthcare infrastructure, medical expertise from the diaspora, and technology transfer in Information and Communication Technologies. Additionally, Afro-descendants intend to support agricultural projects to enhance food security. Dr. Arikana Chihombori, President of ADDI, mentioned the establishment of six companies in various sectors, a microfinance project to provide funds for youth entrepreneurship, the construction of a "Wakanda city," and the creation of a football team. She also announced a donation of 1,000 computers to technical and vocational training schools. Minister Traoré emphasized that this partnership contributes to President Captain Ibrahim Tra
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Must ReadAround twenty African descendants officially received their permanent residency cards in Burkina Faso during a dinner on April 20, 2026. This ceremony followed an inaugural conference held earlier that day on the theme "Colonization and the perpetuation of colonial systems," giving the event historical and political significance. The ceremony, presided over by the Minister Delegate for Foreign Affairs, Stella Eldine Kabré/Kaboré, highlighted the Burkinabe authorities' desire to strengthen ties with the African diaspora. Minister Kabré/Kaboré stated, "You are no longer visitors, you are one of us," emphasizing that the card symbolizes belonging and mutual commitment, and is just the first step in the process. Among the beneficiaries, Wilton Georges McDonald, a lawyer and member of the African Diaspora Development Institute ADDI, expressed that this recognition is a personal and professional turning point. He plans to contribute to Burkina Faso's economic development through investment, stating, "My work will be to bring investment here and elevate Burkina, my new home." Joshua Maponga also shared his enthusiasm, viewing the act as transcending national borders and making Burkina Faso a source of pride, embodying a pan-African vision of unity and sovereignty. Arikana Chihombori, president of the African Diaspora Development Institute ADDI, praised the initiative as a major step in bringing Africa and its diaspora closer, encouraging investment from beneficiaries. This initiativ
Must ReadBurundi's President and current African Union Chairperson, General Évariste Ndayishimiye, visited the Faso Mêbo agency's paving stone production site and Thomas Sankara Boulevard in Burkina Faso on April 20, 2026. Following the visit, President Ndayishimiye expressed his appreciation for the vision of Burkina Faso's President, who initiated the inspiring program, which he described as a symbol of unity among citizens. He shared that Burundi has a similar program called "community works for development," which has led to the construction of schools, health centers, and a stadium. General Ndayishimiye praised the Burkinabe model, stating, "What inspires me is how well organized it is. I am very delighted and I want to encourage the Burkinabe people to move forward, because to have peace, you must have common projects." He also plans to send a mission to learn from the Burkinabe model. The Director General of the Faso Mêbo agency, Commander Zoodnoma Ahmed Sakandé, stated that the visit was an honor and explained to the Burundian President that under the leadership of President Ibrahim Traoré, Burkinabe citizens are committed to building their country themselves.
In Bagré, Burkina Faso, a group of young agro-entrepreneurs, many of whom are university students, have transitioned from academic studies to agricultural work, participating in an incubation program. This initiative aims to transform graduates into wealth creators by placing them on strategic agricultural sites, contributing to food self-sufficiency in Burkina Faso. The program, launched in 2023 by the National Agency for the Valorization of Research Results and Innovations ANVAR and organized by the Ministry of Higher Education, Research, and Innovation, has seen about forty students participate. Working under challenging conditions in the Bagré plain, students like Wendinda Fatou Compaoré, who holds a professional license in animal production and health, and Balkissa Kafando, a graduate in plant and agronomic production, have learned practical farming skills. They emphasize that the experience, though difficult, has been transformative, teaching them patience, rigor, and humility. Wilfried Zongnaba, an agronomy student, highlights the importance of crop diversification, cultivating onions, eggplants, and soybeans on his 0.75-hectare plot. A significant challenge for these young farmers is market access and pricing. Wilfried Zongnaba notes that buyers often offer very low prices, sometimes not even covering production costs. Daniel Zongo, an aviculture student now in market gardening, echoes these concerns, stating that profitability is difficult when prices are not favorab
Must ReadOuagadougou, Burkina Faso, hosted the inaugural conference on "Colonization and the perpetuation of colonial systems" on April 20, 2026. Organized by the African Diaspora Development Institute ADDI, the event aimed to re-evaluate the connections between Africa and its diaspora, with a focus on youth in the continent's transformation. Dr. Arikana Chihombori Quao, president of ADDI, emphasized celebrating Burkinabe youth and providing them a platform to share their history. She also called for intergenerational synergy, stating that division hinders success and that elders should transmit knowledge to the youth for collective progress. The Minister Delegate to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Stella Eldine Kabré/Kaboré, representing President Ibrahim Traoré and Prime Minister Jean-Emmanuel Ouédraogo, commended the initiative. She highlighted its importance in reshaping political, strategic, and historical ties between Africa and its diaspora, especially amidst the continent's political redefinition, including within the Confederation of Sahel States. The Minister Delegate urged a shift from symbolic cooperation to actionable pan-Africanism, focusing on effective mechanisms to link state needs with diaspora expertise, directing investments to strategic sectors, and strengthening concerted diplomacy to amplify Africa's voice internationally. Notable participants in the discussions included Dr. Arikana Chihombori Quao, Reverend Maponga, Lazare Ki Zerbo, and Ousmane Touray.