The transitional government of Burkina Faso has taken a significant step towards enhancing its energy infrastructure by creating the Atomic Energy Agency (ABEA).
Announced at the Council of Ministers on Wednesday, the new agency will oversee and coordinate all activities related to the nuclear industry.
This move is part of the government’s broader objective to double the country’s electricity production by 2030.
The establishment of ABEA follows the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding and Cooperation for the Development of the Nuclear Industry in October 2023 between Burkina Faso’s Ministry of Energy and the Russian National Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM).
This agreement underscores the country’s commitment to nuclear energy as a means to achieve energy independence.
Government spokesman Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo emphasized that the creation of ABEA is a strategic move to ensure Burkina Faso’s energy autonomy, promote industrialization, and expand access to electricity across the nation.
He highlighted that this initiative is in line with the vision of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who has expressed a strong desire to equip the country with a nuclear power plant by 2023 to reduce reliance on external energy sources.
In collaboration with Russia, Burkina Faso aims to leverage nuclear power as a reliable and sustainable energy solution, positioning the country on a path towards greater energy security and economic growth.
Report by Suleiman Kabore