The Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, representing President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, left Ouagadougou on October 26, 2026, for Moscow. He will participate in the 3rd Russia-Africa Summit and the Economic and Humanitarian Forum on October 28-29. The summit aims to strengthen cooperation between Burkina Faso and Russia in areas such as security, investments, local resource transformation, and technology transfer.
The Russia-Africa Summit has been held previously in Sochi in 2019 and St. Petersburg in 2023. This year's meeting will bring together African leaders and Russian President Vladimir Poutine to discuss and revitalize the Russia-Africa partnership. The summit will review the 2023-2026 action plan and define future cooperation orientations. A declaration and a new 2027-2029 action plan are expected to be adopted at the end of the summit.
Discussions during the summit will focus on trade, investments, food and energy security, and state sovereignty. The Economic and Humanitarian Forum will also address industrial development, technology transfers, digital transformation, artificial intelligence, peaceful nuclear energy uses, health, education, and training. As head of the Burkinabè delegation, the Prime Minister will present the country's priorities, aiming to promote concrete projects in local resource transformation, technology mastery, and youth training.
The Burkinabè Prime Minister's participation in the summit is part of the country's efforts to strengthen its relations with Moscow. This was reinforced by the signing of the Agreement on the Foundations of Relations between Burkina Faso and Russia on February 12, 2026. The Prime Minister's trip also reflects President Traoré's desire to diversify partnerships while respecting national sovereignty, equality, and reciprocal interests.
During the summit, the Prime Minister will engage in bilateral talks and meetings to deepen partnerships in security and development. This participation aligns with Burkina Faso's goals to address security, humanitarian, and development challenges. The summit provides an opportunity for Burkina Faso to promote its interests and explore new cooperation avenues with Russia.
The Russia-Africa Summit and Economic and Humanitarian Forum will provide a platform for Burkina Faso to engage with other African countries and Russia on issues of mutual interest. The Burkinabè delegation's participation is expected to yield concrete outcomes that will contribute to the country's development. The summit's outcomes will be crucial in shaping the future of Russia-Africa relations.
The Burkinabè government's efforts to strengthen cooperation with Russia and other partners reflect its commitment to achieving national development goals. The Prime Minister's participation in the Russia-Africa Summit is a significant step in this direction. The summit's results will be closely watched in Ouagadougou as Burkina Faso seeks to consolidate its partnerships and address its development challenges.
Key points
- Strengthening cooperation between Burkina Faso and Russia in areas such as security, investments, and technology transfer.
