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In Two Years of President Ibrahim Traoré: The Renaissance Of Burkina Faso And The Dawn Of An African Awakening

BY Steve Biko Wafula · January 19, 2025 02:01 pm

KEY POINTS

Burkina Faso’s industrial and agricultural revolution under Traoré starkly contrasts with the stagnation in many African nations. For instance, while Traoré builds tomato and cotton processing plants, countries like Kenya import basic commodities, perpetuating dependency. 

President Ibrahim Traoré of Burkina Faso has emerged as a transformative leader, igniting hope and pride across Africa with his bold and unapologetic governance. In just two years, he has challenged the status quo, implementing policies that prioritize self-reliance, economic growth, and cultural pride. His actions resonate deeply with African youth, who see in him a leader unafraid to confront the exploitative structures of global financial institutions and foreign powers. Traoré’s leadership is a clarion call for a new era of African sovereignty, sending ripples of fear across the continent’s corrupt and incompetent regimes, including Kenya’s William Ruto.

Traoré’s rejection of loans from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) and the World Bank symbolizes his defiance of neo-colonial economic dependence. His statement, “Africa doesn’t need the World Bank, IMF, Europe, or America,” has become a rallying cry for Africans weary of leaders who mortgage their countries’ futures to foreign creditors. This bold stance, combined with his economic achievements, has redefined the narrative of African governance. By growing Burkina Faso’s GDP from $18.8 billion to $22.1 billion and paying off local debts, he has showcased the potential of internally driven economic reforms.

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Under Traoré’s leadership, Burkina Faso has achieved significant industrial milestones. The establishment of two tomato processing plants, the first-ever in the country, and a state-of-the-art gold mine signify a shift towards value addition and local resource processing. By banning the export of unrefined gold to Europe, Traoré has ensured that the wealth generated from Burkina Faso’s resources stays within its borders, benefiting its people. These initiatives have sparked admiration across Africa, as many countries remain shackled to the export of raw materials, enriching foreign powers while impoverishing their own citizens. Traoré’s bold economic decisions challenge the narrative that Africa must remain a supplier of raw resources to sustain global industries.

Agriculture, the backbone of Burkina Faso’s economy, has received unprecedented attention under Traoré. His government has distributed over 400 tractors, 239 tillers, 710 motor pumps, and 714 motorcycles to support rural farmers. By providing access to improved seeds and farm inputs, Traoré has spearheaded a surge in agricultural output. Tomato production rose from 315,000 metric tonnes in 2022 to 360,000 in 2024, millet increased from 907,000 to 1.1 million metric tonnes, and rice production grew from 280,000 to 326,000 metric tonnes. These achievements are a testament to what can be accomplished when leadership prioritizes the needs of its people.

Traoré’s commitment to infrastructure development further highlights his visionary approach. His government is building new roads, widening existing ones, and upgrading gravel paths to paved surfaces, ensuring better connectivity and economic integration. The construction of the Ouagadougou-Donsin Airport, set for completion in 2025, underscores his ambition to position Burkina Faso as a regional hub. These projects stand in stark contrast to the neglect seen in many African nations where infrastructure is often used as a conduit for corruption rather than development.

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Cultural pride and sovereignty have been central to Traoré’s governance. By banning the wearing of British legal wigs and gowns in courts and replacing them with traditional Burkinabé attire, he has restored dignity to the nation’s legal system. His decision to expel French troops and ban French media signals a break from the neo-colonial grip that has long dictated Burkina Faso’s political and economic landscape. These actions resonate deeply with African youth, who see in Traoré a leader reclaiming Africa’s agency and rejecting foreign interference.

Traoré’s ability to combine economic progress with cultural renewal has positioned him as a revolutionary figure in African politics. His policies are a direct threat to the continent’s corrupt, lazy, and visionless leaders, many of whom rely on the very systems Traoré has dismantled. In countries like Kenya, where President William Ruto presides over rampant corruption, inefficiency, and a widening wealth gap, Traoré’s success is a stark reminder of what true leadership looks like. Ruto, whose administration is marred by scandals and failed promises, faces the growing discontent of a youth population inspired by Traoré’s achievements.

The fear Traoré inspires among Africa’s political elite is rooted in his demonstration that transformative leadership is possible. His decision to reduce the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% while increasing civil servants’ pay by 50% is a direct challenge to the kleptocracy that defines many African governments. Leaders like Ruto, who have enriched themselves at the expense of their citizens, stand exposed as Traoré channels state resources towards the people rather than the ruling class.

Burkina Faso’s industrial and agricultural revolution under Traoré starkly contrasts with the stagnation in many African nations. For instance, while Traoré builds tomato and cotton processing plants, countries like Kenya import basic commodities, perpetuating dependency. His establishment of the first-ever National Support Center for Artisanal Cotton Processing to assist local farmers is a blueprint for empowering grassroots stakeholders. In Kenya, however, smallholder farmers remain at the mercy of exploitative middlemen and poor policies, a situation exacerbated by Ruto’s administration.

Traoré’s youthfulness and energy have further endeared him to Africa’s young population. At just 35 years old, he embodies the aspirations of millions who yearn for leaders who understand their struggles. His rise to power and subsequent achievements challenge the narrative that experience in leadership equates to competence, especially when many older leaders have presided over decades of decline. African youth, who make up the majority of the continent’s population, see in Traoré a reflection of their potential and a symbol of the change they can demand.

The ripple effect of Traoré’s leadership is evident in the growing calls for reform across Africa. His rejection of foreign domination, prioritization of local industries, and empowerment of farmers have set a standard that other leaders are now being held against. In Kenya, for example, protests against corruption and mismanagement have drawn inspiration from Burkina Faso, where a young leader has shown that change is not only possible but achievable within a short timeframe.

The fear Traoré instills in leaders like Ruto stems from the realization that their citizens are awakening. As Burkinabé citizens experience tangible improvements in their lives, the excuses offered by corrupt regimes elsewhere become less convincing. The question on every African youth’s lips is: if Traoré can transform Burkina Faso, why can’t our leaders do the same? This growing consciousness threatens the survival of regimes built on patronage, mediocrity, and oppression.

In just two years, Traoré has become a beacon of hope for Africa. His achievements in governance, economics, and cultural pride are a blueprint for the continent’s future. While many African leaders continue to bow to foreign interests, Traoré’s defiance has inspired a generation to believe in the possibility of self-reliance and sovereignty. His leadership is not just a threat to incompetent presidents; it is a challenge to every African to demand better from their governments.

Traoré’s vision extends beyond Burkina Faso. His policies and rhetoric have sparked a Pan-African awakening, reminding Africans of their shared struggles and collective strength. His stance against foreign exploitation resonates across borders, particularly in nations where leaders remain subservient to external powers. In Kenya, for instance, Ruto’s administration continues to borrow heavily, plunging the country deeper into debt. Traoré’s rejection of such practices exposes the fallacy that borrowing is the only path to development.

The rise of Traoré marks a turning point in African history. His achievements prove that leadership rooted in integrity, vision, and accountability can uplift an entire nation. For African youth, he represents a new kind of hero—one who does not seek validation from the West but draws strength from his people. As his influence grows, so does the pressure on Africa’s failed leaders to either reform or face the wrath of a disillusioned populace.

Traoré’s Burkina Faso is a case study in what can be achieved when leaders prioritize their people over personal gain. His emphasis on industrialization, agriculture, and cultural pride has transformed the nation into a symbol of resilience and potential. As other African nations grapple with corruption and mismanagement, Burkina Faso stands as a testament to the power of good governance.

In conclusion, President Ibrahim Traoré has become a symbol of hope, resistance, and progress for Africa. His leadership has exposed the failures of the continent’s corrupt regimes and inspired a generation to demand better. For leaders like Ruto, Traoré is not just a threat; he is a wake-up call. The winds of change are blowing across Africa, and they carry the name of Ibrahim Traoré.

Read Also: A Nation On The Edge: The Destructive Path Of Ruto’s Leadership

Steve Biko is the CEO OF Soko Directory and the founder of Hidalgo Group of Companies. Steve is currently developing his career in law, finance, entrepreneurship and digital consultancy; and has been implementing consultancy assignments for client organizations comprising of trainings besides capacity building in entrepreneurial matters. He can be reached on: +254 20 510 1124 or Email: info@sokodirectory.com

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