Ouagadougou:The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, announced that gold from Burkina Faso must now be processed and certified within the country. He made this statement on Monday during the inauguration of RAFFINOR-BF, Burkina Faso's first gold refinery.According to Burkina Information Agency, Captain Traoré emphasized the importance of processing, controlling, valuing, and certifying Burkinabe gold locally. He stressed that simply producing and exporting raw resources is no longer sufficient, and that every gram of gold should contribute to the nation's economic and social development.The President indicated that local refining would create wealth and skilled jobs, strengthen production traceability, and improve financial flow control. This approach aims to combat fraud, illicit trade, and money laundering within the gold supply chain.RAFFINOR-BF, built on five hectares in Ouaga 2000, represents an investment of 11 billion FCFA and has an initial refining capacity of 164 tonnes of gold per year. It comprises a smelter, an analytical laboratory, a secure storage area, and a jewelry unit. The project is financed by the State, the National Society of Precious Substances of Burkina Faso (SONASP), and private partners, with plans for a second facility to increase capacity to 515 tonnes annually.Captain Traoré highlighted that the initiative is not just about constructing a factory but altering the country's position in the gold value chain to retain more benefits domestically. He stated that natural resources should improve living conditions while respecting the environment and promoting social justice for future generations.He urged the refinery's management to uphold high standards of rigor, transparency, performance, and integrity to inspire trust among producers, buyers, and financial institutions. He concluded by asserting that Burkina Faso can transform its resources, develop its own skills, build its industries, and pave a new path for Africa.