🇧🇫Burkina FasoWest Africa
Kiaka SA mine supports youth employment through training and local entrepreneurship in Burkina Faso
via Lefaso.net7 min read
Kiaka SA, a subsidiary of West African Resources WAF group, has concluded the first phase of its Livelihood Restoration Program LRP in Burkina Faso, providing professional training and installation kits to 180 young people from households affected by the Kiaka mining project. The program, which ran from July 14, 2025, to February 17, 2026, aimed to enhance employability and self-employment among youth in the Zoundwéogo and Boulgou provinces, and the Nazinon region. Official certificate and kit handover ceremonies took place on October 14, 2025, in Gogo and February 17, 2026, in Niaogho. This initiative aligns with the company's social responsibility policy and Burkina Faso's 2025-2029 National Employment Strategy, focusing on strengthening workforce employability and job creation. The 180 beneficiaries, from five communes including Niaogho, Béguédo, Boussouma, Garango, and Gogo, were trained in 21 different trades, with durations ranging from three to six months. The curriculum included entrepreneurial skills using the International Labor Office's "Start Your Business" module, financial education, and life skills. Training was provided by the Digital Indicator-TJP Center of Bobo-Dioulasso. The program achieved a 96.11% success rate, with 167 young people completing three-month training and six certified in automotive mechanics after six months. Less than four months post-training, over 66 beneficiaries have established their own businesses, and more than 40 are pursuing inter
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The new hemodialysis center in Fada N'Gourma, Burkina Faso, is significantly improving access to specialized care for patients with renal failure in the Goulmou, Sirba, and Tapoa regions. Dr. Delwende Bertrand Dibri, a nephrologist and head of the hemodialysis center, highlighted that previously, patients traveled at least 150 km for nephrology consultations and even further for dialysis sessions. The center is equipped with twelve dialysis generators, including nine in the main hall, two in an isolation room, and one in the resuscitation room, with two generators in reserve. It can perform 252 dialysis sessions per week, accommodating 36 patients daily for their sessions, and manages a caseload of 110 chronic hemodialysis patients, in addition to acute cases. The facility also includes a catheter placement room, a 165 KVA generator, a borehole with a water treatment room, offices, and an equipped consultation room. All staff, except the nephrologist, received six months of specialized training in Ouagadougou. Patients are admitted after consultation and review by a committee, with a registry maintained for those awaiting hemodialysis. Dr. Dibri identified hypertension, diabetes, infections, uncontrolled self-medication including phytotherapy, and artisanal gold panning as key risk factors for renal failure. Future plans for the center include increasing capacity, organizing screening and awareness campaigns, and training healthcare agents in renal disease management and hemo
Must ReadBurkina Faso's diplomatic and consular staff from the embassy and consulate general in France have officially returned to Ouagadougou following the closure of the Burkinabe diplomatic mission in Paris. The return of the twelve diplomats and consular agents on July 13, 2026, was confirmed by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, which categorically denied rumors circulating on social media that some diplomats had sought asylum from French authorities. The staff, including former Chargé d'affaires Jean Marie Bakouan, were received by Minister of Foreign Affairs Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré and Minister Delegate Bêbgnasgnan Stella Eldine Kabré/Kaboré. During the ceremony, Bakouan officially handed over the national flag and the embassy keys to the Burkinabe head of diplomacy, symbolizing the effective closure of the embassy in the French Republic. This action solidifies the sovereign decision by Burkinabe authorities to end diplomatic relations with France, a decision announced on June 26, 2026. Minister Traoré stated that the diplomats' return is a crucial step in the process of severing diplomatic ties, noting that administrative aspects are ongoing. Bakouan described their return as "in all dignity," emphasizing that all necessary arrangements were made to inform and reassure other partners, including international organizations in France and other states covered by the Paris embassy. He firmly refuted claims of asylum requests, stating, "We returned proud, tired but not unhappy." F
The second edition of the "Wendok Soccer Tournament" is taking place from July 5 to August 2, 2026, in Nebraska, USA. Organized by Burkinabe national Julien Koala, a surgery assistant and sports brand promoter, the competition features eight teams representing various African communities in Nebraska, including ABN FC Burkina Faso, Team USA, Bana Mboka Congo, Omaha Elites, Nebgam Gambia, 9JA FC Nigeria, Sudan, and South Sudan. The tournament aims to promote Pan-African values and specifically enhance Burkina Faso's international image by showcasing its culture, colors, and talents. Koala emphasizes that the initiative seeks to leverage sport as a driver for economic growth, fostering cultural, educational, economic, and sporting exchanges. It also aims to strengthen ties within the Burkinabe diaspora in the United States, encouraging their engagement in development projects for their home country. The tournament is envisioned as a platform for talent detection, potentially connecting Burkinabe players with American clubs or universities. Beyond sports, Koala and his team are exploring business forums, exhibitions, and B2B meetings to attract investments and encourage entrepreneurship in Burkina Faso. They aspire for the "Wendok Soccer Tournament" to become the largest Burkinabe diaspora tournament in North America, attracting more teams from the US, Canada, and other countries, and serving as a platform for sports diplomacy. This edition is supported by Moussa Guira, deputy de