BEIJING—Prime Minister Apollinaire Kyelem de Tambela of Burkina Faso, during his recent visit to China, toured several state-owned enterprises specializing in war aviation and airspace control, marking a significant step in fostering technological collaborations between the two nations.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Prime Minister’s itinerary included visits to Aircas, a manufacturer of warplanes, and CETC, a company known for its advancements in space conquest technologies, airspace control, air navigation, and digital communication systems. The visit underscores Burkina Faso’s interest in enhancing its technological capabilities and infrastructure in partnership with Chinese expertise.

Furthermore, in a notable engagement, Prime Minister Kyelem de Tambela met with executives from Huawei, a major player in electronic communications infrastructure in Burkina Faso. During the meeting, he addressed the prevailing media narratives about China’s role in Africa, advocating that China presents numerous untapped opportunities for African nations, contrary to the skepticism often portrayed in Western media outlets.

The visit coincided with the Africa-China Cooperation Forum held from September 4 to 6, 2024, which focused on modernization and the development of a high-level China-Africa community with a shared future. Prime Minister Kyelem de Tambela’s participation in the forum highlighted his commitment to leveraging international partnerships to advance Burkina Faso’s development agenda.