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| Capt Ibrahim Traore and Vladimir Putin Photo credit: AFP |
The military leadership of Burkina Faso has recently finalized an agreement with Russia to kickstart the construction of a nuclear power plant.
This represents a significant strategic shift as the junta veers towards forging stronger connections with Russia, diverging from its previous affiliations with Western nations.
Since seizing power last year, Burkina Faso's military junta has progressively leaned on Russia for both economic and military backing, marking a notable change in their alliances.
The country grapples with substantial energy-related challenges, with only 21% of its population currently having access to electricity.
The genesis of this new partnership with Russia can be traced back to discussions between Burkina Faso's military leader, Capt Ibrahim Traore, and Russian President Vladimir Putin.
These talks occurred during the Russia-Africa summit held in Moscow in July.
Capt Traore sought President Putin's support in the establishment of a nuclear power plant within Burkina Faso, highlighting its pivotal role in meeting the nation's energy needs and extending those benefits to neighboring countries.
This collaborative effort aligns with Burkina Faso's ambitious goal to achieve a 95% electricity access rate for urban areas and 50% for rural regions by 2030.
At present, the country predominantly relies on biofuels like charcoal and wood for electricity generation, with oil products contributing significantly to the nation's energy mix.
Furthermore, Burkina Faso grapples with high electricity costs, as reported by the US development agency USAid.
While South Africa is presently the sole African nation engaged in commercial nuclear power production.
Several other African countries are venturing into this arena. Egypt, with Russian assistance, is in the process of constructing a nuclear power plant, and Kenya has unveiled plans to establish its first nuclear power facility by 2027.
Additionally, Rwanda has chosen a Canadian-German company to build a nuclear reactor by 2028, with the objective of addressing energy demands and enhancing resilience in the face of climate change.
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