The 8th edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO) and the 1st AES Energy, Mining and Hydrocarbons Week (SEMH-AES) came to a close on September 18, 2026, in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, after five days of intense discussions. The event, co-chaired by Burkinabè Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, represented by Minister of Mines and Quarries Yacouba Zabré Gouba, brought together delegations, experts, exhibitors, and partners.
During the closing ceremony, Doulaye Sanou, Secretary General of the Ministry of Energy, Mines, and Quarries, and President of the Organizing Committee, highlighted the significant progress made during the event. Sanou noted that the discussions were marked by intense exchanges, leading to four strategic recommendations aimed at consolidating the sovereign governance of extractive resources in the Sahel region.
The recommendations focus on mastering geological information, particularly in the three-border zone, ensuring the exploitation, transformation, and valorization of resources for the benefit of local populations. Additionally, the recommendations emphasize the need for capacity building through the creation of regional centers of excellence and the development of joint structural projects within the AES.
To ensure the follow-up of these commitments, an AES committee will be established. Sanou expressed satisfaction with the event's organization, which was marked by several notable achievements, including the participation of high-level delegations and the presentation of awards to outstanding contributors.
The event featured several award ceremonies, including the "Mine, Energy, Quarry, and Hydrocarbons" category, which was won by Essakane SA, along with the Excellence Prize for Female Leadership. A stand that integrated the symbols of Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger won the Shared Sovereignty Trophy.
Hisham Kaboré, an engineer at Houndé Gold Corporation, was awarded the Best Scientific Creation prize for his solution to optimize waiting times and productivity in truck rental, receiving a trophy and a 500,000 FCFA check. Exhibitors, such as Christelle Fomeni from Somissa, expressed their satisfaction with the event, having won three prizes.
The closing ceremony concluded with a speech by Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba, who congratulated the actors involved in the success of this edition and expressed his wish for future editions to be even more significant, contributing to the growth and unity of Africans.
Key points
- The SAMAO 2026 event led to four strategic recommendations for a sovereign extractive sector in the Sahel region.
- The recommendations focus on geological information, resource exploitation, capacity building, and joint structural projects.
- An AES committee will be established to ensure the follow-up of these commitments.
