The Sultanate of Oman has deepened its investment ties with West Africa through a series of agreements with Burkina Faso that span gold mining, agriculture and broader economic cooperation.
Three separate accords signed in Ouagadougou during the final weeks in August 2025 establish new partnerships between Oman Investment Authority, the sultanate’s sovereign wealth fund, and Burkina Faso’s economic sectors. The deals reflect Oman’s broader strategy to diversify its overseas investments beyond traditional markets.
The centerpiece agreement creates a joint venture targeting Burkina Faso’s gold sector, where the landlocked nation ranks as Africa’s fourth-largest producer. A second accord establishes a comprehensive investment framework spanning multiple industries, while the third focuses on agricultural ventures including rice cultivation and other strategic crops.
Abdulsalam Mohammed Al Murshidi, chairman of the Oman Investment Authority, signed the agreements alongside Burkina Faso Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore and private sector representatives.
The partnerships underscore Oman’s push to forge economic ties with Arab and allied nations as the Gulf state seeks sustainable returns from its oil wealth. For Burkina Faso, grappling with security challenges and economic pressures, the deals offer potential capital for development in key sectors.
The agreements come as Gulf sovereign wealth funds increasingly eye opportunities in Africa’s resource-rich economies, viewing the continent as a frontier for long-term growth amid global market volatility.
