Iran has expressed its willingness to strengthen relations with Burkina Faso by sharing its expertise in security, health, and economic development, according to a statement released on Wednesday.
Mojtaba Faghihi, Iran’s Ambassador to Burkina Faso, conveyed Tehran’s readiness to provide support during a meeting with the country’s Economy Minister, Aboubacar Nacanabo.
During the meeting, Faghihi announced that Iran plans to establish a pharmaceutical production unit in Burkina Faso, alongside other manufacturing ventures. He also congratulated Nacanabo on the establishment of the Burkina Faso Treasury Deposit Bank, urging the regime to ease banking exchanges between the two nations and foster support for investors.
In response, Nacanabo reaffirmed Burkina Faso’s commitment to strengthening cooperation with Iran in all areas of mutual interest.
Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, is part of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES), a coalition formed earlier this year by the three junta-led nations. The AES aims to address the growing security threats posed by terrorist groups in the region through the establishment of a joint military force.
The three countries withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) last year, following tensions over ECOWAS’ threat of military intervention in Niger after the 2023 coup.
In recent months, the AES member states have forged closer ties with Russia, a nation that shares strong diplomatic relations with Iran. The alliance has also voiced criticism of Ukraine, with Niger severing diplomatic ties with Kyiv last month over allegations of Ukraine’s support for Malian “terrorist groups.”