Burkina Faso has inaugurated its first gold refinery, Raffinerie nationale d’or du Burkina Faso (RAFFINOR-BF), in Ouagadougou. The facility aims to strengthen local gold processing and increase revenue. The refinery was opened in the presence of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the head of the country's military regime. The construction of the refinery began in November 2023 and cost over 11 billion CFA francs, funded by the state and the national private sector.
The refinery has an initial capacity to produce 164 tonnes of gold per year, with the potential to reach 515 tonnes in the future. According to Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the facility marks a step towards greater economic independence. He emphasized the country's ambition to process its minerals locally, rather than exporting raw materials. The refinery is expected to create around 100 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs.
The gold refinery is a significant development in Burkina Faso's mining sector, which is a crucial part of the country's economy. In 2025, Burkina Faso produced over 94 tonnes of gold, making it one of the main gold producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Gold is the country's primary mineral resource and plays a central role in the economic strategy of the military regime that took power in 2022.
The construction of the refinery was financed by the state and the national private sector, demonstrating a collaborative effort to develop the country's mining industry. The facility is expected to contribute to the country's economic growth and help reduce its reliance on external processing of its gold.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré's vision for the country's mining sector is centered around adding value to its mineral resources locally. He stated that the country wants to move beyond simply extracting and exporting raw materials, and instead focus on refining and processing its metals domestically.
The inauguration of the gold refinery is a significant milestone in Burkina Faso's efforts to develop its mining industry and increase its economic independence. The facility is expected to have a positive impact on the country's economy and create new job opportunities.
The gold refinery is part of Burkina Faso's broader strategy to optimize its mining sector and maximize the benefits of its natural resources. The country is working to strengthen its position as a major gold producer in Africa and to use its mineral resources to drive economic growth.
Key points
- The refinery has an initial capacity to produce 164 tonnes of gold per year.
- The facility is expected to create around 100 direct jobs and 5,000 indirect jobs.
- Gold is the country's primary mineral resource and plays a central role in the economic strategy of the military regime.
