Burkina Faso’s gold exports hit $10 billion in 2025, now Saudi investors are coming for a share

The latest interest came from Sarmady Co., whose head, Nouf Ali Alsalaten Al Qhatani, met Burkina Faso’s ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Boukary Savadogo, in Riyadh on August 30.

Burkina media, Faso Actu reports that the discussions focused on investment and partnership opportunities in Burkina Faso’s gold sector, which the government considers one of the strategic pillars of the national economy.

Sarmady’s representatives were also briefed on the opportunities available in the Burkinabe market and potential collaboration with local economic stakeholders.

Al Qhatani expressed strong interest in investing in Burkina Faso and praised the economic direction of the authorities under Captain Ibrahim Traoré.

Representatives of the company also highlighted improvements in the country’s security situation, describing the security environment as an important factor in assessing investment and economic cooperation prospects.

Burkina Faso exported 99.13 tonnes of gold worth CFA5.88 trillion in 2025, equivalent to roughly $10 billion. Gold accounted for more than 91% of the country’s total export value, according to customs data.

The country also recorded more than 94 tonnes of gold production in 2025, including about 42 tonnes from artisanal mining, according to figures presented by Energy, Mines and Quarries Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba.

The government has been seeking to bring more of this production under national control while increasing the value retained domestically.

The scale of the sector helps explain the growing interest from foreign investors. Burkina Faso generated more than CFA776 billion ($1.4 billion) in budget revenue from mining activities in 2025, while also directing more than CFA85 billion to its mining development fund.

The Sarmady meeting is also part of a broader push to deepen economic ties between Burkina Faso and Saudi Arabia. In April, a delegation of about 20 Saudi investors met Burkinabe officials in Riyadh, with potential opportunities identified across energy, finance, precious metals, agro-processing, aviation and international trade.

For now, however, Sarmady’s interest has not translated into a financial commitment. The company was invited to submit an investment proposal, which Burkina Faso’s embassy will forward to the relevant authorities for review.