History
FOCUS ON SAMAO 2024
THE 6th EDITION OF THE WEEK OF MINING ACTIVITIES IN WEST AFRICA (SAMAO) FROM 26 TO 28 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT THE OUAGA 2000 CONFERENCE CENTRE.
BACKGROUND AND JUSTIFICATION
The mining sector plays a key role in Burkina Faso's economy. Mining helps to reduce poverty and improve the country's trade balance, with gold the leading export since 2009.
By way of illustration, from a production of 5.6 tonnes of gold in 2008, Burkina Faso exported 62.138 tonnes in 2020. The mining sector's contribution to the State budget has improved significantly in recent years, rising from €8.912 billion in 2008 to €322 billion in 2020.
To this end, a strategic objective has been included in Axis 3 of the National Economic and Social Development Plan (PNDES), entitled: "to develop a competitive industrial and craft sector with high added value and which creates decent jobs", the expected effect of which is to increase the impact of the mining sector on the rest of the national economy.
To achieve this objective, the sector needs to be better promoted around the world to attract more investment.
To give concrete expression to the government's desire to promote the mining sector, decree n°2016-063/MEMC/SG of 05 April 2016 on the establishment and harmonisation of events to promote the mining and quarrying sector in Burkina Faso established the Semaine des Activités Minières d'Afrique de l'Ouest (SAMAO) (West African Mining Week) with the following objectives:
Translate the Government's vision for promoting the mining and quarrying sector;
Offer business opportunities to the public and private sectors;
Attracting investors to support growth in the mining and quarrying sector;
Supporting the sustainable development of the mining and quarrying sector.
In a context of economic recovery in Burkina Faso, where the mining sector is an important factor in the take-off of our economy, and in view of the efforts made both nationally and globally to contain the COVID 19 pandemic, the holding of events such as SAMAO is essential to ensure greater visibility for our sector and to attract potential investors.
These terms of reference have been drawn up with a view to the practical organisation of the sixth SAMAO.
