African LDCs: Burkina Faso showcases its endogenous development model in Addis Ababa

Burkina Faso shared its experience in reducing inequalities and strengthening human capital at the African regional meeting dedicated to the mid-term review of the Doha Programme of Action for Least Developed Countries (LDCs), held on September 8 and 9, 2026 in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.
Led by the Chief of Staff of the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dieudonné Désiré Sougouri, the Burkinabe delegation presented the measures undertaken by the country to strengthen its human capital, reduce vulnerabilities and accelerate the transformation of its economy.

Organised by the United Nations Economic Commission for Africa (ECA) and the Office of the United Nations High Representative for LDCs, Landlocked Developing Countries and Small Island Developing States, this meeting aimed to assess the progress made by African LDCs since the adoption of the Doha Agenda for Action in 2022.

During the two days of work, participants exchanged views on the fight against poverty, human capital development, technological innovation, economic transformation, trade, regional integration, climate change and the mobilization of financing for sustainable development.

On this occasion, Burkina Faso advocated for a profound transformation of its economic model. The delegation noted that African economies have long been limited to the export of raw materials, exposing them to fluctuations in international prices, while finished products with high added value were imported.
Faced with this situation, Ouagadougou intends to promote an endogenous, resilient economy that creates more value within the national territory.

Regarding regional integration, Burkina Faso also highlighted the creation of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES) by Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger. The delegation stated that this initiative addresses the limitations observed in traditional integration mechanisms and reflects the ambition to build a regional space capable of supporting the economic development of its member states.

Burkina Faso intends to present the AES not only as a framework for security cooperation, but also as a lever for economic integration and transformation of Sahelian economies.
Adopted in March 2022, the Doha Action Programme 2022-2031 aims in particular to support LDCs towards a sustainable exit from this category.

Djamila Kambou