OUAGADOUGOU — Burkina Faso has launched the Burkinabè Atomic Energy Agency (ABEA), a new entity aimed at advancing the country's energy independence and supporting its industrialization. The agency was officially created following a decree during a council meeting chaired by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo, the establishment of ABEA is expected to enhance the availability of electricity across Burkina Faso and support the nation's industrial sector. This move is part of a series of strategic decisions made during the council meeting, which also included approvals for initiatives in other sectors such as transportation and public services.

The council also reviewed and approved proposals related to the national craft and rail sectors, facilitating the transfer of Artisanal Villages to the Ouagadougou International Craft Fair (SIAO) and the creation of a mixed economy company called Faso Rails to develop a railway network connecting provincial capitals. The rail project, valued at approximately 70 billion FCFA, aims to be operational within 18 months and will significantly contribute to regional connectivity.

Furthermore, the council addressed the need for improved public services and decreed the provision of free healthcare services through mobile clinics, focusing on mammography and cervical cancer screening. This initiative, as outlined by Health Minister Robert Lucien Jean-Claude Kargougou, is intended to enhance healthcare accessibility for vulnerable populations.