Burkina Faso’s extractive industry reached a historic milestone in 2025.
Driven by sovereignty-oriented reforms, the country produced 94 tonnes of gold, marking a spectacular increase compared to the previous year, the Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries announced.
Presenting his 2025 performance report to Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba reported an 89.66% achievement rate of his ministry’s performance contract, highlighting record results largely fuelled by the mining sector and a renewed drive for national sovereignty.
2025 will go down as a landmark period for Burkina Faso’s gold industry. According to official figures, total gold output reached 94 tonnes, including industrial production and seizures, representing an increase of more than 30 tonnes compared to 2024.
“The mining sector performed very well in 2025. This achievement includes approximately 42 tonnes from the artisanal mining sector,” Minister Gouba said. The surge was attributed to the operationalisation of the Burkina Faso Mining Participation Company (SOPAMIB) and closer monitoring of the 15 industrial mines currently in operation. Efforts to curb fraud also yielded results, with 10 kilograms of gold recovered from illicit circuits.
Electrification and energy sovereignty
Beyond mining, the energy sector also recorded major progress. In 2025, nearly 160,000 new households were connected to the national power grid, while 131 rural localities were electrified. More than 165 kilometres of transmission lines and 500 kilometres of low-voltage lines were rolled out, strengthening the country’s energy inclusion.
In terms of urban security, the ministry installed over 25,000 streetlights in urban and peri-urban areas, contributing to efforts to curb insecurity.
2026 outlook: towards greater industrialisation
Building on these achievements, the Burkinabè government aims to maintain momentum in 2026. The minister announced a major reform of the Bureau of Mines and Geology of Burkina Faso (BUMIGEB) and a reorganisation of artisanal mining into structured cooperatives.
Emphasis will also be placed on local shareholding, with at least ten semi-mechanised mining projects, led exclusively by national private investors, expected in 2026.
“In 2026, we will work to firmly entrench energy and mining sovereignty,” Yacouba Zabré Gouba concluded.
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