OUAGADOUGOU — The Burkina Faso government has significantly increased the capital investment in SOTRACO, the national public transport company, from 800 million to 5 billion FCFA, securing at least 75% ownership of the company’s shares for the state and its branches.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the decree adopted by the government enables the Burkinabè Economic and Social Development Fund and the Municipality of Ouagadougou to elevate their stake in SOTRACO’s share capital. This financial boost was confirmed during the Extraordinary General Assembly of SOTRACO on January 24, 2024, which officially recorded the recapitalization. The government spokesperson, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, emphasized that the recapitalization aims to ensure the continuity of SOTRACO's operations and to enhance its governance, reflecting its critical role in facilitating urban mobility, particularly for pupils and students. Since its inception in July 2003, SOTRACO has expanded its services beyond Ouagadougou to other cities including Bobo-Dioulasso, Koudougou, and Ouahigouya.