- Rosatom Delegation Visits Burkina Faso: The Russian team is in Burkina Faso for four days to discuss building a nuclear power plant.
- Energy Challenges: Only 22.5% of Burkina Faso’s population has electricity, and major disparities exist between urban and rural areas.
- Security and Timeline: Rosatom’s chief engineer stressed that the plant’s location will consider security concerns, but no construction timeline has been provided.
On August 6, a Rosatom delegation from Russia began a four-day visit to Burkina Faso. The visit aims to discuss building a nuclear power plant that could significantly boost Burkina Faso’s energy sector.
The two nations have strengthened ties since Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s military coup in September 2022. Last October, they signed an agreement for a nuclear power plant.
Burkinabe Energy Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba emphasised the importance of the visit. He said the delegation would address the technical requirements to start the project. “The Rosatom delegation came to discuss technical aspects to lay down all necessary prerequisites to implement and begin construction of this plant,” Gouba stated.
He hoped the visit would help address Burkina Faso’s energy issues. Rosatom’s chief engineer, Alexander Renev, affirmed the company’s commitment to the project. However, he did not provide a specific timeline for construction. Renev mentioned that the plant’s location would be chosen with security in mind due to ongoing jihadist violence in the region.
Only 22.5 per cent of Burkina Faso’s population has access to electricity. This figure includes 67 per cent in urban areas but just 5.3 per cent in rural areas. The data comes from the African Development Bank, based on figures from late 2020.
Burkina Faso relies on electricity imports from Ivory Coast and Ghana. Locally, the country generates some power through hydroelectric and solar means.
The proposed nuclear plant aims to solve the country’s long-term energy deficit. It would be the first nuclear facility on the African continent outside South Africa’s Koeberg plant near Cape Town.
Rosatom’s visit, which runs through Friday, marks a critical step in advancing Burkina Faso’s energy infrastructure. The delegation’s discussions are expected to lay the groundwork for the plant’s development and more effectively address the nation’s energy needs.