Burkina Faso’s military government have signed a deal with Russia to help build a nuclear power plant to increase electricity generation in the country.
This would be seen as one of the moves of the country’s military junta’s to align itself with Russia after it fell out with most of its Western partners.
After grabbing power last year, the junta has turned to Russia for economic and military support, with the country one of the least electrified countries globally, with only 21% of people connected to power.
A memorandum of understanding MoU, under discussion between the two countries was mooted for the construction of a nuclear power plant in the country.
The new agreement is the outcome of extended discussions held between the Burkinabe military ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traore, and Russian President Vladimir Putin during the Russia-Africa summit in July.
The MoU is expected to be officially signed between the Russian federal atomic energy agency, Rosatom, and the Burkinabe ministry of energy, with the signing to coincide with the Russian Energy Week 2023.
Burkina Faso is one of the least electrified countries in the world, and is aiming to address its acute electricity shortage.
The International Energy Atomic Agency reports that about 20% of the country’s population currently has access to electricity.
