The first edition of the Semaine de l’Énergie, des Mines et des Hydrocarbures de la Confédération des États du Sahel (SEMH-AES), coupled with the 8th edition of the Semaine des Activités Minières d’Afrique de l’Ouest (SAMAO), took place in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, from September 14-18, 2026. The conferences brought together ministers, experts, investors, researchers, and representatives from the private sector, development partners, civil society, and students.
The event, held under the theme "Gouvernance des ressources extractives: enjeux géopolitiques, défis et opportunités pour les États africains" (Governance of Extractive Resources: Geopolitical Stakes, Challenges, and Opportunities for African States), was attended by approximately 5,000 participants from 11 countries. The conferences featured 7 panels, 2 high-level panels, 6 ordinary sessions, 3 technical panels, and 4 technical sessions, focusing on topics such as energy sovereignty, mining governance, and regional integration.
The high-level panels discussed governance of extractive resources and harmonization of energy, mining, and petroleum policies in the AES space. Other panels addressed topics like energy access, mining sovereignty, socio-economic issues, and rural electrification. The ordinary sessions covered issues such as reducing energy dependence, mineral transformation, and artisanal mining reform.
The conferences resulted in several recommendations, including the need for the AES states to master geological information, particularly in the three-border zone. Participants also recommended ensuring exploration, transformation, and valorization of resources for the benefit of local populations, strengthening human resource capacities, and developing joint structuring projects within the AES.
In his closing speech, read by Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba, Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo emphasized the need for Africa to go beyond mere exploitation of raw materials. He stressed that the future of Africa lies in creating competitive industries, technological innovation, research, and valorization of African expertise.
The Prime Minister also highlighted the importance of developing local content and strengthening national competencies, particularly in the extractive sector. He called for the training of young engineers, technicians, geologists, and entrepreneurs to enable African competencies to occupy a greater place in the extractive value chain.
The conferences also featured B2B meetings and exhibitions showcasing the activities of the energy, mining, and hydrocarbon sectors. The event concluded with a call to follow up on the commitments and partnerships established during the conferences, and to give a new impetus to the cooperation and valorization of resources within the AES space.
Key points
- The conferences resulted in several recommendations to strengthen the sovereignty of AES states, including the need to master geological information and ensure local transformation of resources.
