Burkina Faso has taken a major step toward addressing its energy deficit by signing an agreement with Russia to construct a civil nuclear power plant. The deal was sealed in Saint Petersburg by Burkina Faso’s Energy Minister, Yacouba Zabré Gouba, and ROSATOM Director General Aleksey Likhachev during the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum.
Minister Gouba noted that the agreement kicks off an administrative process that will soon involve reviewing a technical and financial proposal from ROSATOM. Upon approval, both parties will begin negotiations on the construction phase.
The initiative follows President Ibrahim Traoré’s 2023 expression of interest in developing nuclear energy with Russian support. If realized, the project could significantly boost Burkina Faso’s electricity supply and industrial growth.
