Key Achievements of Ibrahim Traoré in Burkina Faso since 2022

Since assuming power in September 2022, Ibrahim Traoré has implemented significant reforms in Burkina Faso, focusing on economic sovereignty, infrastructure development, cultural revival, and regional realignment.

Economic and Industrial Reforms:

• Established Burkina Faso's first gold refinery to add local value and reduce reliance on exporting unrefined gold.

• Nationalized key gold mines to increase state control over mineral resources.

• Launched the Postal Bank of Burkina Faso with a capital of 15 billion FCFA ($25 million) to promote financial inclusion and reduce dependency on foreign institutions.

• Set up tomato processing plants and a cotton processing facility to boost local agro-industrial capacity.

Agricultural Development:

• Distributed over 400 tractors, 239 tillers, 710 motor pumps, and 714 motorcycles to farmers to enhance productivity.

• Implemented the Agro-Pastoral Offensive to achieve 70% food self-sufficiency by 2027.

• Increased production of key crops: tomato output rose from 315,000 to 360,000 metric tonnes; millet from 907,000 to 1.1 million metric tonnes; and rice from 280,000 to 326,000 metric tonnes between 2022 and 2024.

Infrastructure and Public Services:

• Initiated construction of the new international airport, Ouagadougou-Donsin, with a projected capacity of one million passengers annually.

• Expanded Bobo-Dioulasso Airport and acquired an Embraer 170 aircraft to revive Air Burkina.

• Invested in road construction and upgrades, including the near-completed Northern Interchange in Ouagadougou.

Cultural and Educational Reforms:

• Replaced French with local languages in official government communication.

• Mandated use of traditional Faso Dan Fani textiles for school uniforms and judicial attire, replacing colonial-era wigs and robes.

Regional and International Relations:

• Formed the Alliance of Sahel States with Mali and Niger to strengthen regional cooperation and autonomy.

• Expelled French troops and ended Operation Sabre, signaling a shift from former colonial powers.

• Reopened the Russian embassy in Burkina Faso after 31 years.

Governance and Public Sector Reforms:

• Reduced salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% while increasing civil servants' wages by 50%.

• Paid off local debts and rejected loans from the IMF and World Bank, emphasizing financial independence.