OUAGADOUGOU — In a significant move to support local industrialization and enhance social protections, the government of Burkina Faso has exempted certain locally produced goods from taxes and suspended the export of shea products. These decisions were part of a broader strategy discussed during the Council of Ministers’ meeting on Thursday.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the state-owned newspaper, Sidwaya, highlighted the government’s focus on industrialization by granting tax exemptions for the production of wheat flour, corn, sorghum, and other cereals. This initiative aims to bolster domestic production and reduce reliance on imported goods.

In a related development, L’Express du Faso reported that Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, Minister in charge of Finance, outlined a preliminary draft of the amending finance law, which is intended to strengthen human capital and support industrial growth. Additionally, the authorities, under the guidance of the Ministry of Justice, approved a preliminary draft law on the administration of community service. This law is expected to replace imprisonment with community service for certain offenses, addressing the problem of overcrowding in prisons.

Furthermore, the private daily Le Pays announced that Séraphine Somé/Millogo has been appointed as the Director General of the Burkina Information Agency. On the topic of trade, the newspaper detailed the government’s decision to temporarily suspend the export of shea butter. This measure, aimed at supporting local processing units by ensuring the availability of shea almonds as raw material, also includes a suspension of special export authorizations for shea products.

These strategic decisions mark a pivotal step towards enhancing Burkina Faso’s economic resilience and industrial capacity.