Burkina Faso Records Historic Gold Boom Under Traoré — State Tightens Control, Revenues Rise
Burkina Faso has achieved its highest gold production ever, reaching 94 tonnes in 2025 under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
The surge follows years of decline caused by political instability and repeated coups that had driven away investors. Authorities have now moved to restructure the mining sector, increasing the state’s ownership stake and tightening regulation over foreign mining companies.
Government officials say the new policy is designed to ensure the country benefits directly from its natural resources, with a larger share of mining profits now flowing into the national treasury instead of leaving the country.
At current international prices (around US$2,000 per ounce), 94 tonnes of gold is worth over US$6 billion (approximately N$112 billion)…a major potential boost for state revenue, public projects and security spending.
The policy direction is widely seen as a shift toward resource nationalism and partial nationalization, with Burkina Faso seeking greater economic sovereignty over its gold sector.