Niamey: Burkina Faso's Prime Minister, Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo, arrived Wednesday evening in Niamey, where he was welcomed by Niger's Minister of State, Minister of Defense, General Salif Modi, ahead of his participation in the 17th edition of the Air Festival, which opens Thursday in the town of Iferouane, in northern Niger.

According to Burkina Information Agency, the Burkinabe Prime Minister is participating in this event at the invitation of the Nigerien authorities, leading a large delegation. This year's edition is themed: "Promoting Domestic Tourism and Handicrafts: Pillars of Sovereignty and Resilient Development." The delegation also includes the Minister of Communication, Culture, Arts, and Tourism, Pindgwende Gilbert Ouedraogo.

His visit aims to strengthen cultural cooperation between Niamey and Ouagadougou and reinforce the bonds of fraternity and common vision between the leaders and peoples of the Confederation of Sahel States (AES).

Upon his arrival at Diori Hamani International Airport in Niamey, a large crowd of Nigerien authorities and members of the Burkinabe community greeted the Prime Minister with cheers and dancing. Mr. Ouedraogo is expected in Iferouane on Thursday, where he will participate in the opening ceremony of the Air Festival alongside his Nigerien counterpart, Ali Mahaman Lamine Zeine.

The Air Festival, taking place from December 5th to 7th, 2025, will showcase local cultures through camel races, traditional dances, craft exhibitions, conferences, and concerts. Created in the early 2000s, this event has become a major cultural gathering in the Sahara, serving as a platform for tourism promotion and dialogue among the peoples of the Sahel.