Burkina Faso and Algeria have taken steps to deepen cooperation in energy and mining, signing minutes of a meeting that outline potential collaboration on fuel supply, liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) trade and technical capacity building, Algeria’s hydrocarbons ministry said.
The document, signed on Friday, sets out priority areas including the supply of petroleum products to Burkina Faso, the development of LPG trade, expansion of storage and distribution infrastructure, and the sharing of technical expertise across hydrocarbons, energy and mining, according to a statement from Algeria’s Ministry of Hydrocarbons and Mines.
“Today, we have laid the foundations for major cooperation projects that will be implemented between our two countries,” Algeria’s Minister of State for Hydrocarbons and Mines, Mohamed Arkab, said after the talks. He added that the projects would strengthen bilateral ties and create added value for both economies.
The agreement followed a working session between a Burkinabe delegation led by Energy, Mines and Quarries Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba and an Algerian delegation headed by Arkab. The two sides also agreed to establish joint monitoring mechanisms, including sector-specific working groups, to oversee implementation.
Burkina Faso, a landlocked Sahelian nation, is heavily dependent on imported fuels to meet domestic demand, making energy security a persistent policy challenge. Limited storage capacity and exposure to price volatility have underscored the need for more reliable supply arrangements and regional partnerships.
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Mining is the backbone of Burkina Faso’s economy, dominated by gold production. In 2023, the sector accounted for about 14.8% of gross domestic product, roughly 75% of exports and more than 20% of public revenue, according to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative. Authorities are seeking to expand local processing and strengthen skills to increase value addition and reduce reliance on raw exports.
Algeria, Africa’s largest natural gas producer, has in recent years pursued deeper energy ties across the continent as part of a broader economic diplomacy drive. With significant hydrocarbon reserves, refining capacity and technical know-how, Algiers has positioned itself as a potential supplier of fuels and expertise to energy-deficit countries, particularly in the Sahel.
The latest agreement builds on broader bilateral engagement between the two countries over the past two years. In March 2025, Burkina Faso and Algeria began preparing a memorandum of understanding to deepen energy cooperation, while in 2024 they agreed to strengthen military and academic partnerships, support socio-economic development and coordinate humanitarian efforts.
For Burkina Faso, closer ties with Algeria are seen as a way to diversify partnerships, secure more stable fuel supplies and support the development of its mining sector. For Algeria, the cooperation aligns with efforts to extend its regional footprint and reinforce its role as a key energy partner in West Africa.
Officials from both countries said further technical meetings are expected in the coming months to translate the framework into concrete projects.
Burkina Faso is a landlocked Sahelian economy that depends heavily on imported fuel to meet domestic energy needs, making supply security and pricing a persistent policy concern. Limited refining capacity and storage infrastructure have left the country vulnerable to external shocks, while demand for petroleum products and liquefied petroleum gas has risen steadily with population growth and urbanisation.
Mining is the backbone of Burkina Faso’s economy, dominated by gold production. According to the Extractive Industries Transparency Initiative, the sector accounted for about 14.8% of GDP and roughly three-quarters of export earnings in 2023, as well as more than one-fifth of government revenue. Authorities have increasingly prioritised local value addition, skills development and better governance of natural resources.
Algeria, Africa’s largest natural gas producer, has in recent years sought to deepen energy diplomacy across the continent. Backed by substantial hydrocarbon reserves, state-owned infrastructure and technical expertise, Algiers has positioned itself as a potential supplier of fuels and know-how to energy-deficit countries, particularly in the Sahel.
The latest cooperation builds on a series of bilateral engagements between the two countries since 2024, which have expanded beyond energy to include security, training and development cooperation. For Burkina Faso, closer ties with Algeria are seen as a way to diversify partnerships, strengthen energy security and support the mining sector, while Algeria views the relationship as part of a broader strategy to extend its regional economic footprint.
