How the Developments in Burkina Faso Help in Shaping the Future of the Continent

By: Ramadan Ahmed
The last week of April saw the latest assassination attempt against President Ibrahim Traoré—his 19th since seizing power in Burkina Faso via a military coup in September 2022. One of the most notable outcomes of this attempt was the outpouring of public support, with citizens taking to the streets to defend their president. African intellectuals, both on the continent and in the diaspora, flooded social media with messages of solidarity and praise for Traoré.
The developments in West African nations have profound implications for the continent, making it challenging to capture their significance fully in a single article. Therefore, this piece will focus on the key changes President Traoré has brought to Burkina Faso, while attempting to answer why there have been so many attempts to eliminate him, what he represents to proponents of Pan-Afrianism, and whether the current wave of military governments in West Africa resembles the coups of the early post-colonial decades or signals a new revolutionary movement.
Furthermore, does this mean democracy has failed in Africa? Or do African elites need to redefine democracy in a way that aligns with the continent’s unique socio-political landscape?
Traoré’s Rise and Achievements
At just 35 years old, Captain Ibrahim Traoré assumed power in September 2022. In just over two years, his government has achieved the following (according to official sources):
Economic Growth: Burkina Faso’s GDP rose from approximately 18.8billionto18.8billion to 22.1 billion.
Rejection of IMF & World Bank Loans: Traoré declared, “Africa does not need the World Bank, the IMF, Europe, or America.”
Salary Reforms: Ministerial and parliamentary salaries were cut by 30%, while civil servants’ salaries increased by 50%.
Debt Management: The government settled domestic debts.
Agricultural & Industrial Expansion:
Established two tomato processing plants—the first of their kind in the country.
Opened a modern gold mine in 2023 to boost local refining capacity and halted raw gold exports to Europe.
Built a second cotton processing plant (previously, there was only one) and launched a national centre to support artisanal cotton production.
Banned British-style wigs and robes in courts, replacing them with traditional Burkinabé attire.
Distributed over 400 tractors, 239 ploughing machines, 710 motorised pumps, and 714 motorcycles to farmers, alongside improved seeds and other agricultural inputs.
Tomato production rose from 315,000 metric tons in 2022 to 360,000 in 2024.
Millet production increased from 907,000 metric tons to 1.1 million.
Rice production grew from 280,000 metric tons to 326,000.
Infrastructure Development:
Constructed new roads, expanded existing ones, and paved dirt roads.
Currently building a new airport, Ouagadougou-Donsin, set for completion in 2025 with a capacity of 1 million passengers annually.
Anti-French Measures:
Banned French military operations and media in Burkina Faso.
Expelled French troops from the country.
These achievements have tangibly improved citizens’ lives—strengthening the national currency (backed by state-controlled gold reserves) and reducing living costs through agricultural self-sufficiency.
Western Backlash and African Sovereignty
For Western nations, whose material prosperity has often been built on the unethical exploitation of African resources, the rise of a popular military-political leader like Traoré poses a serious threat. Recently, Burkina Faso’s leader issued a strong response to U.S. General Michael Langley’s threats of arrest, removal, or even invasion, declaring:
“We must either choose to fight for our country or remain enslaved forever.”
In a national security address, Traoré emphasised Burkina Faso’s commitment to sovereignty, resource control, and independent counter-terrorism strategies:
“We will not allow anyone to impose their will on us. The people of Burkina Faso have chosen the path of freedom and dignity, and we will defend this choice with all our strength.”
Traoré and the Legacy of Sankara
For advocates of Pan-Africanism, Traoré embodies the revival of Thomas Sankara’s legacy—the revolutionary leader who ruled Burkina Faso from 1983 until his assassination in 1987 after implementing radical reforms.
Pan-Africanists view Traoré’s Burkina Faso as part of a historic shift where African nations reject foreign domination and reclaim sovereignty. While debates persist over Russia’s role, most agree on one principle: Africa must control its own destiny.
Prominent figures like Professor Lumumba, a leading advocate of Pan-Africanism, argue that West Africa is witnessing an anti-colonial revolution, evidenced by popular support for these so-called “military coups.” Across Africa and its diaspora, political groups, writers, and associations echo this sentiment.
The Failure of Western-Style Democracy in Africa?
An undeniable reality is that most African nations governed by Western-style democracy suffer economic decline and corruption, with widespread poverty persisting in East, West, and Southern Africa—even in relatively prosperous countries like Kenya, South Africa, and Nigeria, where stark inequality remains. Paradoxically, nations without Western-style democracy (e.g., Tanzania under one-party rule and Rwanda) have seen tangible improvements in living standards.
Recent developments in Mali, Niger, Burkina Faso, and even Senegal (where anti-French candidates won elections) have sparked serious debates about the suitability of Western-style democracy in Africa. Dr. Francis Deng, in an interview with Al Jazeera, argued that Africa must adapt Western governance models to incorporate local values and traditions. Professor Lumumba agrees, advocating for governance that serves national interests rather than foreign agendas.
Thus, the question remains: Are political parties still relevant if they prioritise ideological, ethnic, or regional divisions over genuine public service? What purpose do legislatures serve if they are populated with opportunistic, unproductive elites? Do elections truly reflect popular will—or the interests of external powers? And why should political elites monopolise decision-making when digital platforms enable direct public participation in the decision-making process?
The transformations in West Africa suggest that the continent is searching for its own path—one that prioritises sovereignty, dignity, and tangible progress over imposed systems. Whether this marks a new era of revolutionary change or a return to past struggles remains to be seen. However, the undeniable fact is that Ibrahim Traoré, in particular, and the new wave of West African military governments, in general, have captured the attention of the African youth and challenged Western-style democracy in Africa. Sooner or later, this will impact significantly on the future of the continent, especially if these regimes manage to achieve significant economic development.

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