Oman has opened talks with Burkina Faso on potential investments in the West African country’s mining sector, marking the Gulf nation’s latest effort to expand its economic footprint in Africa.
Burkinabè leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré on Wednesday received an Omani delegation led by Abdulsalam Bin Mohammad Al Murshidi, Chairman of Oman’s Sovereign Wealth Fund Authority. Discussions centered on opportunities in mineral extraction, agriculture, and other priority sectors.
Al Murshidi said Muscat aims to strengthen trade ties and pursue agreements that will enable Oman to invest in Burkina Faso’s growing industries. “We are looking forward to further agreements and closer cooperation between our two nations,” he told reporters, conveying greetings from His Majesty the Sultan of Oman to President Traoré.
Burkina Faso, Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer, has been seeking to diversify its partnerships beyond traditional allies while attracting investment to its natural resource and agricultural sectors. The talks with Oman highlight a new phase of economic diplomacy linking the Gulf and the Sahel.