AGP Executive Report

Gold & Mining Deals: Ghana’s gold push keeps widening the gap: 2025 output hit nearly 6 million ounces and exports earned about $20.2bn, with small-scale mining driving most of the rise—Burkina Faso is cited around 94 tonnes. Exploration Momentum: Orezone Gold reported record Q2 2026 results and progress on Bomboré Stage 2A expansion, alongside new drill results showing continued growth potential. Burkina Faso Energy/Tech Link: Burkina Faso is preparing for a Russia trade and cooperation commission meeting in Moscow on Sept. 16, with energy, agricultural machinery, civilian drones, and seed work flagged. Cross-Border Security for Trade: Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a defence cooperation deal to secure and escort goods along shared trade corridors. Agri-Industry Pressure: CSIR research highlights weak tomato and ginger systems: Ghana spends at least $168m a year on tomato imports and is over 99% dependent on imported ginger, pointing to seed, irrigation, soil health, and disease constraints. Climate Stress: Record July heat affected hundreds of millions across the Sahel, including Burkina Faso, raising pressure on food and water security. Local Environment & Reforestation: Ioba Province in Burkina Faso planted 510+ seedlings for Tree Day, with a mining company backing restoration efforts.

West Africa Economic Pulse: IMF-linked projections and 2026 nominal GDP rankings keep Nigeria out front, with Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire also highlighted for diversified industry and steady investment. Gold & Mining: Ghana’s gold push widens its lead, with 2025 exports hitting a record ~$20.2bn and output reaching 6 million ounces—figures that underline how regional gold competition is reshaping trade and foreign exchange, with Burkina Faso cited at ~94 tonnes. Energy & Trade Diplomacy: Burkina Faso is moving to deepen ties with Russia ahead of the first Russia–Burkina Faso intergovernmental commission in Moscow on 16 September, with energy and technology—plus agriculture machinery, civilian drones, and seed production—on the agenda. Fuel Costs: Burkina Faso raises diesel from 675 to 750 CFA francs per liter (about $1.32) as subsidies strain budgets and international oil and transport costs rise. Security for Industry Supply Chains: Ghana and Burkina Faso sign a defence cooperation deal to secure and escort cross-border trade corridors, aiming to protect traders and the movement of goods. Climate Pressure on Industry: Record July heat hit Sahel countries including Burkina Faso, adding stress to drought and food/water security. Agro-Environment: Ioba Province in Burkina Faso plants 510+ seedlings for Tree Day, with local authorities and a mining partner backing reforestation and land restoration. Local Infrastructure Bottleneck: In Burkina Faso’s border-linked road network, the Bongo-Soe road issue (abandoned for years) shows how stalled works can choke transport and market activity.

Fuel & Transport Costs: Burkina Faso will raise diesel from 675 to 750 CFA francs per liter starting Monday, citing higher global oil prices, transport costs, and a stronger U.S. dollar—while warning subsidies could jump sharply if no corrective action is taken. Border Security for Trade: Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a defence cooperation deal to provide security and escort support along cross-border trade corridors, aiming to protect traders and stabilize supply routes. Mining & Exploration Signals: Orezone reported fresh drill results at its Bomboré gold system, pointing to continued growth potential beyond current resources. Gold Dealmaking in West Africa: Fortuna Mining agreed to buy Senegal’s Bambadji gold project for $200M, expanding its West Africa land position after selling a Burkina Faso asset last year. Sahel Pressure on Civilians & Institutions: Coverage highlights expanding terror control in Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger and an “unprecedented” crackdown on civil society, with Burkina Faso downgraded to “repressed” status. Energy Infrastructure Cooperation: Russia and Burkina Faso are set to hold their first intergovernmental trade and cooperation meeting in Moscow on 16 September, with electricity infrastructure and agriculture among the priorities.

Mining & Investment: Orezone Gold says it has expanded exploration upside at its Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso with new drill results, including multiple long intercepts and higher-grade zones beyond current resources, pointing to continued growth potential. Mining & Finance: IAMGOLD reported strong Q2 performance and cash generation, including a Burkina Faso government payment tied to the Essakane dividend, while also completing the sale of its Bambadji interest in Senegal to Fortuna. Energy & Costs: Burkina Faso will raise diesel prices from 675 to 750 CFA francs per liter (about $1.32) as subsidies rise and international oil and transport costs push costs up. Security & Trade: Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a defence cooperation deal to secure and escort cross-border trade corridors—aimed at protecting traders and stabilizing supply routes. Industry & Power Infrastructure: Russia and Burkina Faso are set for a first trade and technical cooperation commission meeting in Moscow on 16 September, with electricity infrastructure and agricultural machinery among the areas discussed. Climate Risk: Record July heat across the Sahel, including Burkina Faso, adds pressure to agriculture and infrastructure planning as extreme weather intensifies. Civic Space: Burkina Faso’s civil society is under unprecedented pressure, with Civicus downgrading the country to “repressed” after the suspension and dissolution of many organizations.

Energy & Transport Costs: Burkina Faso raised diesel prices from 675 to 750 CFA francs per liter (about $1.32) starting Monday, citing higher global oil prices, transport costs, and a weaker CFA—while warning subsidies could jump sharply without corrective action. Infrastructure & Industry Risk: With Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam set for controlled spillage on Aug. 11, Ghana’s NADMO issued a preemptive flood alert for communities along the White Volta basin, warning of sudden water rises that could hit farms, fishing and local infrastructure. Mining & Investment: IAMGOLD reported strong Q2 output and cash flow, including a $74m payment tied to Burkina Faso’s Essakane dividend distribution, while also announcing board changes and the completion of a Senegal asset sale. Trade Security: Ghana and Burkina Faso signed a defence cooperation deal to protect cross-border trade and supply corridors, aiming to secure economic stability along the shared border. Regional Integration Watch: ECOWAS renewed its push for a single currency target by 2027, a move that could reshape costs and planning for West African trade and industry.

Fuel Costs & Transport: Burkina Faso will raise diesel from 675 to 750 CFA francs per liter (about $1.32) from Monday, citing higher global oil prices, costlier transport, a stronger US dollar, and diesel subsidies that could top 135 billion CFA francs this year. Climate Pressure on Industry: Record July heat hit Sahel countries including Burkina Faso, with AFP analysis linking extreme temperatures to climate change—raising risks for power, transport, farming and overall production stability. Mining Cashflow & Governance: IAMGOLD reported Q2 results and ongoing drilling at its Côté zone, while also paying a dividend to Burkina Faso; the company’s board adds Catherine McLeod-Seltzer, signaling continued investment focus. Regional Trade Logistics: Experts argue rail-port connectivity is key to cutting congestion and logistics costs—an angle Burkina Faso industries will watch as West Africa pushes for more efficient cargo movement. Energy Infrastructure Risk: Farmers along Ghana’s White Volta are preparing for downstream flooding after Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam spillage notice for Aug. 11, highlighting cross-border impacts on agriculture and livelihoods. ECOWAS Currency Debate: ECOWAS is still targeting a single Eco currency by 2027, but the plan faces sovereignty and macroeconomic hurdles that could affect regional trade planning.

Flood Risk for Volta Basin Farmers: Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam spillage is set for Aug 11, and farmers along the White Volta (including Pwalugu in Ghana’s Talensi district) have started harvesting early and moving to safer ground after SONABEL warned the dam is within two metres of spill level—aimed at reducing damage to crops, homes and livelihoods. Regional Security & Trade Talks: Nigeria is pushing deeper Sahel and Lake Chad Basin cooperation, calling for a development compact alongside security coordination to tackle insurgency, banditry, cross-border crime and climate-linked pressures. Gold Sector Update (Burkina Faso-linked): IAMGOLD reported strong Q2 momentum, including mine-site free cash flow and a Burkina Faso government dividend payment tied to Essakane, while also appointing Catherine McLeod-Seltzer to its board effective Sept 1. Mining Exploration (Gold): Compass Gold says diamond drilling at its Massala prospect in Mali intersected gold mineralization across a 340m structure, supporting planning for initial production. Digital Payments Push: A media training in Abidjan urged Burkina Faso and other countries to adopt inclusive instant payment systems to improve interoperability for banks, mobile money and fintech. Sahel Policy Signals: Guinea rejected ECOWAS’s ECO currency path, keeping the Guinean franc—an economic sovereignty move that could reshape regional integration dynamics.

Mining & Investment: IAMGOLD reported Q2 2026 results, with gold production at 188,100 ounces and first-half output of 371,700 ounces, while noting a $74m payment to the Burkina Faso government tied to the Essakane dividend distribution and ongoing capital spending to support growth. Boardroom Moves: IAMGOLD also appointed Canadian mining veteran Catherine McLeod-Seltzer to its board effective Sept. 1, adding experience from major resource companies and prior leadership roles. Agri-Risk & Water Management: Ahead of Burkina Faso’s Bagre Dam spillage planned for Aug. 11, Ghana’s NADMO issued a critical flood alert for communities along the White Volta basin, urging farmers and residents to act early to protect livelihoods and infrastructure. Energy/Industry Corridor: Ghana’s 24-hour economy push is linked to plans to develop the Volta Lake into a transport and industrial corridor via private participation, including agro-industrial parks and industrial zones. Digital Payments (Regional Business Climate): AfricaNenda Foundation urged regulators and operators to speed up inclusive instant payment systems, with training that included journalists from Burkina Faso and other West African markets. Security/Defense Tech (Regional Industry Impact): Reporting says Mali and Burkina Faso have deepened defense ties with Turkey, including Bayraktar TB2 drones and tactical kamikaze systems—moves that can reshape procurement and local security spending.

Flood Risk for Volta Basin Farmers: Ghana’s NADMO has issued a critical flood alert ahead of Burkina Faso’s planned Bagre Dam spillage on Tuesday, Aug. 11, warning of sudden water-level surges along the White Volta and tributaries and urging farmers, fishermen and herders to move to safer areas. On-the-Ground Prep in Ghana: Farmers along the White Volta near Pwalugu have already started harvesting and relocating after SONABEL notified Ghana’s Water Resources Commission that the dam is within two metres of its spill level. Mining & Investment Signals: IAMGOLD appointed Canadian mining veteran Catherine McLeod-Seltzer to its board effective Sept. 1; the company also reported Q2 2026 results and ongoing drilling at its Massala prospect. Gold & Agriculture Economy Link: A separate report highlights Burkina Faso’s gold-and-farming economic base as the country marks Independence Day, with renewed focus on stability and development. Regional Security-Industry Angle: Nigeria is pushing stronger Sahel and Lake Chad engagement, proposing a development compact to tackle shared security and development pressures that can disrupt trade and investment.

Mining & Investment: IAMGOLD says it’s continuing a 20,000-metre infill drilling push at its Côté zone in Burkina Faso, aiming to lift resource confidence and upgrade inferred to indicated categories, while also reporting strong Q2 operating figures and appointing Catherine McLeod-Seltzer to its board effective Sept. 1. Gold Exploration: Compass Gold/Compass Gold Corp. reports positive diamond drilling results at its Massala prospect on the Sikasso property in Mali, with gold mineralization intersected across a 340m structure—relevant for the wider gold belt that links to Burkina Faso’s mining ecosystem. Sahel Security & Extraction: A new report highlights how mining areas in the Sahel are increasingly tied to extremist violence, with attacks spreading from mines to roads and nearby communities—an industry risk Burkina Faso can’t ignore. Regional Trade & Policy: Guinea’s decision to keep the Guinean franc complicates ECOWAS’s ECO currency plan, underscoring how monetary choices can reshape regional business conditions. Infrastructure & Jobs: Ghana’s Volta Lake corridor plan—aimed at agro-industrial parks and industrial zones—signals the kind of transport-and-production push that could influence cross-border supply chains for Burkina Faso. Independence & Diplomacy: A former diplomat congratulated Burkina Faso’s President Ibrahim Traoré on Independence Day, praising efforts toward stability and economic progress.

Mining Value-Add Shock: Congo has ordered an immediate halt to exporting copper and cobalt concentrates, pushing the region’s energy-transition debate toward local refining and higher domestic capture of value. Gold Sector Update: IAMGOLD says it’s advancing an infill drilling program at its Côté zone and reports Q2 2026 results, while also appointing Catherine McLeod-Seltzer to its board effective Sept. 1—an eye on growth for its Burkina Faso operations. Agri-Risk Ahead of Dam Releases: Farmers along the White Volta in Burkina Faso’s Talensi district are harvesting early and moving to safer areas ahead of Bagre Dam spillage, after SONABEL warned Ghana’s water authorities of a controlled release starting Aug. 11. Sahel Security & Extraction: A new report links Sahel mining sites with extremist violence, describing how attacks spread beyond mines into roads, communities, and trade routes. SME Finance Boost: EBID signed an €80m deal with Coris Holding to expand lending across West Africa, targeting agriculture, agribusiness, and energy value chains including Burkina Faso. Volta Corridor Jobs Pitch: Ghana’s 24-hour economy plan highlights a Volta Lake transport and industrial corridor model—concessioning VRA assets to spur agro-industrial parks and manufacturing. Digital Payments Training: AfricaNenda’s push for inclusive instant payment systems brought journalists from Burkina Faso and others into regulatory harmonization discussions in Abidjan. Independence Links: A diplomat congratulated Burkina Faso on Independence Day, praising Traoré’s focus on stability and economic progress.

Mining & Investment: IAMGOLD appointed Canadian mining veteran Catherine McLeod-Seltzer to its board effective Sept. 1, adding decades of executive and capital markets experience; the company also reported Q2 2026 results and ongoing infill drilling at its Côté zone, aimed at upgrading resources and strengthening the operational base in Burkina Faso. Agriculture & Water Management: Farmers along the White Volta near Pwalugu in Ghana are rushing harvests ahead of Bagre Dam spillage, after SONABEL warned the dam is within two metres of its spill level and controlled releases are scheduled to start Aug. 11—an annual shock that can flood farmlands downstream. SME Finance: EBID signed an €80m financing deal with Coris Holding to expand lending across West Africa, targeting agriculture, agribusiness and energy value chains, with Burkina Faso among the supported markets. Energy/Transport & Industrial Policy: Ghana’s 24-hour economy push links the Volta Lake to jobs and supply chains via concessioning VRA non-power assets for a multimodal transport system plus agro-industrial parks and industrial zones. Security & Extraction Risks: A new Sahel report highlights how mining areas are increasingly targeted by militant groups, with violence spreading beyond mine sites to roads, communities and local commerce.

Mining & Investment: IAMGOLD reported Q2 2026 results, including ongoing infill drilling at its Westwood Complex (Côté zone) aimed at upgrading resources and boosting confidence in the northeastern extension. SME Finance: EBID signed an €80m financing deal with Coris Holding to expand lending across West Africa, targeting agriculture, agribusiness and energy value chains, with Burkina Faso among the beneficiary markets. Gold Exploration: Compass Gold said diamond drilling at its Massala prospect returned positive assays, including wider gold mineralization intervals, feeding into planning for initial production. Agri-Industry & Value Addition: Ghana’s cashew sector faces renewed pressure as most nuts still leave as raw exports; calls are growing for stronger processing capacity and policies that stabilize farm-gate prices. Digital Payments (Regional): AfricaNenda urged countries including Burkina Faso to push inclusive instant payment systems and harmonized regulation to connect banks, mobile money and fintech into one interoperable ecosystem. Security & Economy: A new report links Sahel mining areas with rising extremist violence, highlighting how attacks around mines can spread to roads, communities and trade. Governance: A new piece argues Burkina Faso’s junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré has moved away from restoring democracy, tightening repression while seeking to internationalize its model.

SME Finance Boost: EBID signed a €80m deal with Coris Holding to expand lending to SMEs/SMIs across West Africa, targeting agriculture, agribusiness and energy value chains—covering markets including Burkina Faso. Mining & Jobs Focus: A new report links Sahel mining to terrorism financing and attacks around mines, underscoring the security risk for Burkina Faso’s gold sector and related transport and commercial hubs. Agriculture Capacity: IFAD appointed former Togolese Agriculture Minister Noël Koutéra Bataka as its Burkina Faso country representative, as the country pushes food sovereignty and rural development. Digital Payments Push: AfricaNenda urged faster adoption of inclusive instant payment systems, with training that included Burkina Faso—aimed at linking banks, mobile money and fintech under interoperable rules. Gold Exploration Update: Compass Gold reported positive diamond drilling assays at its Massala prospect in Mali, pointing to wider gold mineralization along a major fault—relevant for regional mining confidence. Political Economy Lens: Commentary argues Burkina Faso’s trajectory is about economic sovereignty—who owns resources and who benefits—rather than just coups or personalities.

Mining & Security: A new Sahel report links gold extraction to terrorism financing and attacks, noting militants target roads and hubs within 10 km of mines—an issue that keeps pressure on Burkina Faso’s mining sector. SME Finance: EBID approved a €80m facility with Coris Holding to expand lending across West Africa, with Burkina Faso among the focus markets and support aimed at agriculture, agribusiness and energy value chains. Agriculture & Food Systems: IFAD named former Togolese Agriculture Minister Noël Koutéra Bataka as its Burkina Faso country representative, as the country pushes food sovereignty and rural development. Digital Payments: AfricaNenda urged faster rollout of inclusive instant payment systems and regulatory harmonization, with media training that included Burkina Faso—relevant for fintech and business transactions. Trade/Industry Context: Burkina Faso’s gold-and-agriculture economy remains central in recent coverage, while regional currency uncertainty (ECOWAS ECO delays and Guinea’s refusal) adds pressure to planning for cross-border trade. Sports (Industry angle): Burkina Faso’s WAFCON campaign continues to draw attention, with the team’s momentum and matches feeding local engagement and sponsorship interest.

SME Finance Boost: EBID signed a €80m deal with Coris Holding to expand lending to SMEs/SMIs across West Africa, targeting agriculture, agribusiness and energy value chains—Burkina Faso included. Mining & Security Link: A new Sahel report says mining areas are increasingly targeted by extremist groups, with violence spreading from mines to roads, communities and trade hubs—highlighting the pressure on Burkina Faso’s extraction economy. Agriculture Investment & Jobs: IFAD appointed former Togolese Agriculture Minister Noël Koutéra Bataka as its Burkina Faso country representative, as the country pushes food sovereignty and rural development. Digital Payments Push: AfricaNenda training in Abidjan urged inclusive instant payment systems and regulatory harmonization, with Burkina Faso among participating countries—aimed at better financial access for businesses and consumers. Gold Exploration Update: Compass Gold reported positive diamond drilling assays at its Massala prospect, supporting planning for initial production. WAFCON Momentum: Burkina Faso’s women’s team is set for a high-stakes WAFCON clash after a breakthrough win, a reminder of how sports can lift local visibility and demand for services. Policy & Sovereignty Debate: Guinea’s decision to keep its own currency adds pressure to ECOWAS’s planned common currency timeline, with knock-on effects for regional trade planning. Independence Day Note: A former diplomat congratulated President Ibrahim Traoré on Burkina Faso’s Independence Day, praising stability and development direction.