On November 5, 2026, Burkina Faso's Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré met with Maxime Prevot, Belgium's Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs, European Affairs, and Development Cooperation. The bilateral meeting aimed to enhance cooperation between the two nations, bucking the trend of some Western partners withdrawing from the region. The Burkinabé minister praised Belgium's approach, which he described as a partnership between equals, built on mutual respect.
The two officials discussed bilateral cooperation, its consolidation, and sub-regional issues. Traoré commended the strong foundation of Burkina Faso's friendship with Belgium, built on solidarity and sincerity. He expressed gratitude for the honors Belgium accords to Burkina Faso and highlighted the frank exchanges they had. The meeting demonstrated the commitment of both nations to strengthening their relationship.
Maxime Prevot emphasized that the visit was an opportunity to celebrate decades of cooperation, which would continue to intensify. Belgium is aware of Burkina Faso's 2026-2030 Relance strategy and aims to align its cooperation with the priorities set by the Burkinabé government. Prevot stressed that Belgium would respect Burkina Faso's sovereign decisions and not impose its own priorities.
The bilateral meeting allowed both parties to express their willingness to consolidate existing cooperation and prepare for the future. Belgium renewed its commitment to providing financial support to Burkina Faso post-2027, with a pledge of 40 million euros through the Belgian International Cooperation Agency (Enabel). This development underscores the strong partnership between the two nations.
During his visit, Traoré also met with European Commission officials to present Burkina Faso's new vision for partnerships. He engaged with representatives from Enabel and Bio Invest, structures operational in Burkina Faso-Belgium cooperation. Additionally, the minister met with the Burkinabé community residing in Belgium, ensuring a comprehensive approach to strengthening ties between the two countries.
This visit follows that of Belgium's Foreign Minister to Ouagadougou in August 2026, demonstrating the dynamism of Burkina Faso-Belgium cooperation. The two nations have a long history of collaboration, and this visit aimed to further solidify their relationship. The Burkinabé government values this partnership, which is built on mutual respect and solidarity.
The visit concluded with a renewed commitment from both nations to enhance cooperation, with a focus on aligning with Burkina Faso's priorities. The financial support pledged by Belgium will contribute to the country's development, particularly in areas critical to its growth. This strengthened partnership is expected to yield positive outcomes for both nations.
Key points
- - The visit aimed to strengthen cooperation between Burkina Faso and Belgium. - Belgium pledged 40 million euros in financial support to Burkina Faso post-2027. - The partnership between the two nations is built on mutual respect and solidarity.
