Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou aims to become a major exporter of red meats

Already recognized as one of the pillars of livestock farming in West Africa alongside Nigeria and Mali, Burkina Faso now aims to reach a new milestone. Under the leadership of the transitional authorities headed by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, the country has set a strategic goal of becoming a key player in red meat exports across the continent and beyond.

With a livestock population estimated in the millions, a strong pastoral tradition, and proven expertise, Burkina Faso holds immense potential in this sector. The government plans to leverage these strengths to develop a fully integrated value chain in livestock production: improving breeds, building modern slaughtering facilities, establishing sanitary certification systems, and enhancing export logistics.

This ambition aligns with a broader drive for economic transformation and food sovereignty promoted by the current authorities. The objective is twofold: to create employment opportunities for youth through local industry development, and to generate foreign currency through exports to regional and international markets.

The Confederation of Sahel States (AES), of which Burkina Faso is a founding member, also provides a strategic framework for pooling efforts in livestock production, processing, and marketing. Closer cooperation with Mali and Niger could give rise to a true regional agro-pastoral power.