Russia to build nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso's government said Friday that it had signed an agreement with Russia for the construction of a nuclear power plant to "cover the energy needs of the population," less than a quarter of which has access to electricity.
"The government of Burkina Faso has signed a memorandum of understanding for the construction of a nuclear power plant," it said in a press release.
According to BBC, the new deal with Russia is a culmination of talks the Burkinabe military ruler, Capt Ibrahim Traore, had with Russian President Vladimir Putin in July during the Russia-Africa summit in Moscow. Capt Traore requested President Putin's support in setting up a nuclear power plant in Burkina Faso, which he said would help meet the country's energy demands and those of neighbouring countries.
"Our position is rather strategic because we are in the heart of West Africa and we have an energy deficit in the sub-region."
The deal is part of Burkina Faso's target to achieve 95% electricity access for urban areas and 50% for rural areas by 2030.
Burkina Faso gets most of its electricity from biofuels like charcoal and wood while oil products account for one-third of the total energy supply, according to the International Energy Agency.
According to the US development agency USAid, Burkina Faso also has one of the highest electricity costs in Africa.