On October 29, 2026, the Société Nationale des Substances Précieuses (SONASP) officially opened its new gold buying office in Tenkodogo, Burkina Faso. This development is part of the company's efforts to structure and sanitize the Burkinabé mining sector. The office is located in the city of 11-Décembre and aims to provide a secure and regulated platform for local miners to sell their gold.
The Burkinabé mining sector has experienced significant growth, with gold becoming the country's top export product. The sector has attracted many artisanal miners, particularly since the 1980s, when droughts hit the Sahel region. To regulate this activity and maximize local resource benefits, SONASP was established by decree on October 24, 2023. The company's mission includes commercializing, transforming, exploiting, and refining precious substances across the country.
SONASP has rapidly expanded its presence in Burkina Faso, with the Tenkodogo office being its latest addition. Previous offices were opened in Bobo-Dioulasso on October 21, 2024, Gaoua on October 29, 2024, and Banfora on October 23, 2025. The company's annual revenue exceeded 3,200 billion CFA francs in 2025, making it one of the top public enterprises in Burkina Faso.
SONASP's Director-General, Commander Bazile Zongo, addressed miners and stakeholders at the Tenkodogo office opening. He emphasized that the new office would provide a secure and regulated platform for local miners to sell their gold. Zongo reassured stakeholders that SONASP aims to collaborate with them, not replace them.
Sami Bérenger Pooda, President of the Special Delegation of Tenkodogo, expressed his satisfaction with the new office. He highlighted the economic benefits of the office, including better organization of the mining sector, improved gold traceability, and boosted local economic activity.
The Tenkodogo office is expected to have a positive impact on the local economy. The office will enable SONASP to regulate the gold trade, provide a secure platform for miners, and increase revenue for the local government. The company's expansion is part of its efforts to sanitize and structure the Burkinabé mining sector.
The office opening ceremony concluded with the awarding of recognition certificates to top sellers from SONASP's existing offices. This gesture acknowledged their commitment to official commercialization circuits. With its expanding presence, SONASP is poised to play a significant role in Burkina Faso's mining sector.
Key points
- SONASP opens new gold buying office in Tenkodogo to regulate and boost local mining sector.
- The office aims to provide a secure and regulated platform for local miners to sell their gold.
- SONASP's expansion is part of its efforts to sanitize and structure the Burkinabé mining sector.
