Ouagadougou – The Burkinabè government has announced the revival of a long-delayed oil pipeline project with Ghana. This project, originally conceived in 1997, is now set to move forward, as confirmed by the government during a parliamentary session in Ouagadougou. The construction cost is currently estimated at 98 billion FCFA.
According to Burkina Information Agency, Prime Minister Apollinaire Joachimson de Tambela, in his address on the nation’s situation, revealed that a memorandum with Ghana has been signed for the construction of a multi-product pipeline. This pipeline aims to improve Burkina Faso’s hydrocarbon supply. The Prime Minister also mentioned ongoing negotiations with Russia and Iran for setting up a nuclear power plant and constructing an oil refinery, respectively.
The pipeline, planned to connect the Ghanaian town of Bolgatanga and the Burkinabe town of Pô, will span a distance of 85 km in its first phase. With an investment of 98 billion FCFA, it includes building a storage depot of approximately 60,000 m³ in Pô. Burkina Faso anticipates this project to save an average of 10 billion FCFA, create around 100 jobs for young people, and reduce dependence on ports in coastal countries.
Further benefits outlined include lower costs and time in transporting hydrocarbons and reduced transportation risks. “This project is aligned with promoting energy efficiency, minimizing environmental impact, and ensuring safer road transport of petroleum products,” stated a senior official from the Ministry of Energy in September 2023.
Initially sidelined, the pipeline project regained interest under the leadership of Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who is committed to rebuilding Burkina Faso on new foundations. The memorandum of understanding for this project was signed in Accra on August 17, 2023, by Burkinabè Minister of Energy, Mines and Quarries, Simon-Pierre Boussim, and his Ghanaian counterpart, Matthew Opuku Prempeh.