Burkina Faso expands international ties with Russia, Burundi, and AES

Burkina Faso is actively expanding its international partnerships through new bilateral commissions and regional cooperation.

In Moscow, preparations are underway for the first Russia-Burkina Faso Intergovernmental Commission on Trade, Economic, Scientific and Technical Cooperation, scheduled for September 16, 2026. The partnership focuses on energy infrastructure, including potential thermal power plants and nuclear energy projects, as well as agriculture, pharmaceuticals, and civilian drone technology.

Simultaneously, Burkina Faso and Burundi have launched their first Joint Commission of Cooperation in Bujumbura. This initiative aims to strengthen ties in food security, investment, transport, and education, moving toward concrete partnerships following high-level political meetings.

On a regional level, the Alliance of Sahel States (AES)—comprising Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger—is hosting the 2nd Humanitarian Forum and a ministerial meeting on Gender in Ouagadougou. The summit focuses on transitioning from emergency aid to long-term resilience and social inclusion, including the upcoming launch of an AES Women’s Platform.