Stories
Burkina Faso Opens First Gold Refinery, Boosts Economic Sovereignty
N
News18•29-09-2026, 19:00
Burkina Faso Opens First Gold Refinery, Boosts Economic Sovereignty
- •Burkina Faso launched its first gold refinery, Raffinor-BF, as part of a push for greater economic sovereignty under its military-led government.
- •President Ibrahim Traore emphasized that gold extracted in Burkina Faso must now be processed, controlled, valued, and certified domestically.
- •The refinery, built on five hectares in Ouagadougou, has an annual capacity of 164 tonnes, with a target of 515 tonnes, and cost over 11 billion CFA francs (USD 19 million).
- •This move aligns with a broader West African trend where governments are reclaiming control over natural resources by processing them domestically instead of exporting raw materials.
- •The initiative aims to reduce dependence on foreign states and companies, ensuring natural resources contribute directly to improving the living conditions of the Burkinabe people.
Key Questions Answered
The Raffinor-BF gold refinery has a current processing capacity of 164 tonnes of gold per year, with a planned target capacity of 515 tonnes.
The newly opened refinery cost more than 11 billion CFA francs, which is approximately USD 19 million, and was financed jointly by the government and the private sector.
The military-led government built the refinery to reduce dependence on Western partners, process natural resources domestically, and reclaim economic sovereignty over its gold sector.
