• A new bilateral commission will oversee energy, education, and security projects.

• The initiative follows President Traoré’s visit to Russia in May 2025.

• Trade reached $753.5 million in 2024 and is expected to grow further.

Burkina Faso and Russia have set up a joint intergovernmental commission to strengthen their strategic partnership. The announcement was made on July 30, 2025, in Ouagadougou following a meeting between President Ibrahim Traoré and Russian Energy Minister Serguei Tsivile.

The commission will be responsible for monitoring and coordinating the implementation of key bilateral projects agreed upon during President Traoré’s official visit to Russia in May, where he met with President Vladimir Putin.

“Our president is committed to building strong cooperation with African nations. Energy is one of the top priorities in our partnership with Burkina Faso,” Minister Tsivile said during the meeting.

Ties between the two countries have grown significantly in recent years, reflecting a broader shift in Burkina Faso’s international alliances. Russia reopened its embassy in Ouagadougou in December 2023, and high-level visits have since intensified.

The cooperation spans multiple sectors, including security, education, and energy. Burkina Faso has received more scholarships and training opportunities in Russia, while the two countries are also working together on the development of civilian nuclear energy.

In 2024, trade between Burkina Faso and Russia reached $753.5 million. Officials expect this figure to rise further with the commission’s launch, which is expected to accelerate new joint projects.

During the visit, the Russian delegation also handed over a certificate confirming the upcoming deployment of a mobile microbiology lab in Burkina Faso. The lab is designed to boost the country’s capacity in scientific research and public health surveillance.