Burkina Faso and Turkey forge strategic partnership in high-level talks
In a significant diplomatic engagement, Burkina Faso’s Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo hosted Turkish Deputy Foreign Minister Dr. Burhanettin Duran, underscoring the West African nation’s push for diversified global alliances under President Ibrahim Traoré’s leadership.
The meeting highlighted Turkey’s growing role as a key non-traditional partner for Burkina Faso, with both sides committing to elevate cooperation beyond security into agriculture, education, industrialization, and cultural exchange.
PM Ouédraogo praised the « dynamic and promising » bilateral ties, emphasizing diplomacy as a tangible driver of development rather than mere symbolism.
Turkey increasingly active in African investments—finds a willing collaborator in Burkina Faso, where Turkish businesses are already expanding their footprint.
Dr. Duran proposed a shift from « aid-based to trade-focused relations, » announcing Burkina Faso’s participation in an Istanbul trade forum this October.
The talks reflect Ouagadougou’s sovereign diplomacy strategy: building pragmatic partnerships while avoiding ideological dependence.
As Burkina Faso carves its multipolar foreign policy path, this alliance signals its rising credibility as a regional actor.
Papa IBRAHIMA
