Russia is weighing the deployment of solar energy facilities in Burkina Faso, a country facing persistent power shortages. The prospect was outlined by Russian Deputy Prime Minister Alexander Novak during a live segment on the Rossiya 24 television channel. He noted that Burkina Faso presents a clear opportunity for collaborative energy projects, given the nation’s chronic electricity deficit and the urgent need to bolster power generation capacity. The remarks fit into a broader pattern of Moscow expanding energy diplomacy in Africa, where governments have long sought diversified partners to meet growing demand and reduce exposure to single suppliers. Novak’s comments followed a series of exploratory visits and high-level meetings that aim to map practical pathways for joint ventures, technology transfer, and financial arrangements that could accelerate the construction of new generation capacity, including solar farms and modular power sources.
Novak described a favorable landscape for partnerships, noting that Russian firms can bring both the know-how and the capital needed to close the gap in Burkina Faso’s energy supply. He highlighted solar power plants as a primary avenue and pointed to modular power units that can be deployed quickly to serve towns and rural communities already struggling with unstable grids. Such modular solutions, he suggested, could deliver interim capacity while larger, centralized plants and transmission lines are developed. The emphasis was on practical, scalable infrastructure that aligns with Burkina Faso’s development goals, reduces outages, and creates local employment opportunities in installation, operation, and maintenance.
The deputy prime minister mentioned numerous study visits to Mali, Burkina Faso, and Niger, pointing to lessons learned from neighboring markets. He said Russia is ready to help design a regulatory framework that attracts investors and protects their capital, through clear rules, dispute resolution, and stable fiscal terms. The aim would be to lower risk for long-term energy infrastructure projects and to foster local employment and technology transfer.
In Washington, Frances Brown, the White House NSC”s senior director for African affairs, indicated that U.S. officials do not intend to force Africa to choose sides between the United States, Russia, China, Türkiye, or other states. Instead, they emphasize a multi-vector approach that seeks to support Africa’s energy access through diverse partnerships, technology transfer, and transparent governance. The stance reflects shared interest in stable electricity supply, job creation, and sustainable development, with attention to human rights, governance, and the potential environmental impacts of large-scale energy projects.
Earlier, officials from the Russian Foreign Ministry clarified the scale of Russia’s debt obligations to African nations and described ongoing talks about relief measures, restructuring, and future commitments connected to energy-related ventures.