In a significant development underscoring Russia’s growing engagement in Africa, Moscow has signed a comprehensive nuclear cooperation agreement with Burkina Faso. The deal, finalized on the sidelines of the St. Petersburg International Economic Forum (SPIEF) on June 13, marks a pivotal step in the deepening partnership between the two countries, with implications for energy security, technological exchange, and broader geopolitical influence across the continent.

The agreement was signed by Alexey Likhachev, CEO of Rosatom – Russia’s state nuclear energy corporation – and Burkina Faso’s Minister of Energy, Yacouba ZabréGouba. It outlines expanded cooperation in peaceful nuclear technologies, including infrastructure development, radiation safety, and training programs for Burkinabe specialists.

Rosatom’s CEO hailed the signing as an “important milestone” in bilateral relations. “We are ready to provide advanced technologies and expert support to implement joint projects aimed at sustainable development and enhancing the region’s energy security,” Likhachev stated.

The pact builds on a preliminary roadmap signed in March 2023 during the ATOMEXPO forum in Sochi, which first set the foundation for technical collaboration. Since then, Moscow and Ouagadougou have maintained steady diplomatic and technical exchanges. Russia has responded favorably to the overtures made by Burkina Faso’s transitional president, Ibrahim Traore, who personally requested nuclear assistance from President Vladimir Putin during the second Russia-Africa Summit in July........

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