{"id":28303,"date":"2026-03-10T19:28:38","date_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:28:38","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/?post_type=news&#038;p=28303"},"modified":"2026-03-10T19:29:40","modified_gmt":"2026-03-10T17:29:40","slug":"experts-question-feasibility-of-burkina-fasos-64-billion-development-plan","status":"publish","type":"news","link":"https:\/\/www.channelafrica.co.za\/channelafrica\/news\/experts-question-feasibility-of-burkina-fasos-64-billion-development-plan\/","title":{"rendered":"Experts question feasibility of Burkina Faso\u2019s $64 billion development plan"},"content":{"rendered":"<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">But analysts warn that the scale of the plan may be unrealistic given the country\u2019s current economic and political context.<\/div>\n<div data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><\/div>\n<div data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\"><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\" data-olk-copy-source=\"MessageBody\">The plan focuses on four pillars, including boosting local processing of raw materials, expanding mining\u2019s contribution to national revenue and developing infrastructure to support industrialisation. Authorities say the initiative marks a significant step toward economic diversification and reducing vulnerability to external shocks.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Speaking to Channel Africa on Tuesday, Former Senior United Nations Economist Bernard Ouandji said the plan\u2019s financial envelope should be approached with caution. \u201cThe magnitude should be slashed by half. In the previous plan from 2021 to 2025, the delivery rate was very low. I do not see that the country has the absorptive capacity to manage a $60 billion investment,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Ouandji acknowledged improvements under the current authorities, including greater transparency in the gold sector. Official gold production is now estimated at about 100 tonnes a year, up significantly from levels recorded five years ago. \u201cMost of the resources to finance the plan will come from the mining sector. Gold is playing a very important role,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">However, he warned that diversification efforts remain limited. \u201cThere is very little vision for manufacturing. Few projects focus on transforming local materials. The plan is heavily dependent on mining and infrastructure, and with the security situation, it is unclear whether they can extend the road network as planned.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Burkina Faso has strengthened its fiscal position, recently repaying $130 million in debt. But Ouandji cautioned that domestic resource mobilisation remains a major risk. \u201cThe plan relies on 68% internal resources and 30% external funding. External financing may be secured, especially after agreements with the International Monetary Fund and the United States. But the government has been running chronic deficits of around 3% of gross domestic product. This raises serious concerns about the capacity to raise domestic funds.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">He said the biggest risk is overestimating internal financing capacity. \u201cIf 68% is expected from the domestic market, that is where the plan is most vulnerable.\u201d<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">Ouandji nevertheless commended the new leadership. \u201cThey are proactive and have a good image among African youth,\u201d he said.<\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div><\/div>\n<div class=\"x_elementToProof\">&#8211;ChannelAfrica&#8211;<\/div>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":28304,"template":"","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"_links_to":"","_links_to_target":""},"news-type":[44],"class_list":["post-28303","news","type-news","status-publish","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","news-type-finance","entry"],"acf":{"short_description":"Burkina Faso has unveiled an ambitious $64 billion National Development Plan for 2026 to 2030, aimed at transforming the country\u2019s economy, strengthening security and promoting inclusive growth. ","published_date":"","news_description":"Burkina Faso has unveiled an ambitious $64 billion National Development Plan for 2026 to 2030, aimed at transforming the country\u2019s economy, strengthening security and promoting inclusive growth. 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