🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Captain Ibrahim Traoré clarifies Burkina Faso's transition, rejects comparisons to 1987 events
via Lefaso.net2 min read
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, head of state, addressed the people of the Yaadga region to clarify the current situation in Burkina Faso, distinguishing it from the 1987 events that led to a change in power. Traoré stated that the context of his accession to leadership is "completely different" from 1987. He emphasized that he was not imprisoned and then brought to power by someone else, unlike the situation with Blaise Compaoré and Thomas Sankara. Traoré highlighted his direct involvement in the operations that led to the regime change, stating he was at the forefront with his men and was the "first victim" when the 14-5 cannon fired, being less than 100 meters away. He firmly rejected any notion of being a "number 1" or "number 2," asserting, "There are not two captains on a boat." Traoré also warned against communications that could create misunderstandings or difficulties among his associates, stating that those who create such problems will bear the consequences. He concluded by outlining his clear line of conduct for all collaborators, emphasizing that everyone must follow the mission, and he will not tolerate any deviation.
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Bridge Bank Group Côte d’Ivoire BBGCI announced its listing on the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières BRVM during a press conference in Ouagadougou on July 16, 2026. The operation involves selling 20% of the bank's capital, equating to 10 million shares, for a total of 67.5 billion CFA francs. The indicative share price is set at 6,750 CFA francs. The subscription period for both individual and institutional investors runs from July 20 to August 6, 2026, with the first listing on the BRVM expected in September 2026. Bridge Securities, BBGCI's brokerage subsidiary, will assist subscribers. This initial public offering aims to finance the group's growth and is not a divestment by historical shareholders. The financial holding company Bridge Group West Africa BGWA will retain a majority stake of 52.7% post-IPO. The funds raised will strengthen the holding company's equity and support the group's strategic plan for 2026-2030, which focuses on regional expansion, enhanced financing for Small and Medium-sized Enterprises SMEs, and accelerated digital transformation. BBGCI, present in Côte d’Ivoire since 2006 and Senegal since 2021, plans to enter the Burkinabe market and establish a presence in Guinea from 2027. The bank also emphasizes its digital transformation efforts, including a successful core banking system migration in March 2025. The decision to go public is supported by strong financial performance, with a net profit of 27.2 billion CFA francs in 2025, a 19% increase
Bridge Bank Group Côte d'Ivoire BBGCI will open subscriptions for its initial public offering on the Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières BRVM on July 20, 2026. The operation aims to raise 67.5 billion FCFA and will be accessible to individual and institutional investors across the eight UEMOA countries. This offering, approved by the Autorité des Marchés Financiers de l'Union Monétaire Ouest-Africaine AMF-UMOA, involves 20% of the bank's capital, with shares priced at 6,750 FCFA each. The subscription period runs from July 20 to August 6, 2026, with a possibility of early closure. Share settlement and delivery are scheduled for August 21, and the first listing on the BRVM is expected on September 14, 2026. In 2025, BBGCI reported a net profit of 27.2 billion FCFA, a 19% increase, and a net banking income of 68 billion FCFA, up by 15%. Its total balance sheet exceeded 1,427 billion FCFA. The funds raised will strengthen the group's equity, support SME financing, advance its digital transformation, and facilitate regional expansion. BBGCI has already secured authorization to open a branch in Burkina Faso, with plans for establishments in Senegal and Guinea. Investors interested in subscribing must open a securities account with a BRVM-approved asset management and intermediation company SGI and place an order during the specified period. They are advised to consult the official prospectus approved by the AMF-UMOA before making any investment decisions.
Must ReadOn Thursday, July 16, 2026, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso's Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, met with the President of the African Union Commission, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf, advocating for a refoundation of the pan-African organization. The Prime Minister called for a more sovereign, effective African Union that aligns better with the aspirations of African people. He questioned if the African Union is truly a union and truly African, citing the dissipation of unity ambitions and insufficient solidarity with African populations facing existential threats, particularly in the Sahel. He criticized the AU for focusing on "discourse of principle" instead of providing concrete solutions to urgent issues. Ouédraogo also stated that the conflict in the Sahel is a "war of recolonization" and denounced an informational war against Burkina Faso and the Confederation of Sahel States, urging the AU to move beyond externally imposed narratives. He highlighted the difficulty for Africans to travel within the continent as evidence that true union is lacking. Furthermore, he argued that the AU's dependence on foreign funding prevents it from defending African causes, emphasizing that "the hand that receives is always below the one that gives." He urged the AU to champion African sovereignty in line with the vision of its founding fathers and to undertake a deep self-criticism of its direction to defend African interests. In response, Mahamoud Ali Youssouf affirmed understanding