Burkina faso: The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traore, reaffirmed his desire to dress only in national cotton fabric, thus calling on his compatriots to reduce imports and increase the local processing of raw materials. In an interview given Thursday evening to national and international media, the President of Burkina Faso emphasized his commitment to moving away from exporting raw materials and advocated for increased local processing of agricultural production.

According to Burkina Information Agency, Traore used cotton as a prime example, advocating for the complete industrialization of the sector from production to processing. He announced plans for an integrated factory expected to be operational by 2026, which would process cotton into finished products and potentially generate numerous jobs. Traore criticized practices he viewed as detrimental to the national economy, such as exporting maize and soy in raw form only to import them back as processed goods.

Traore highlighted ongoing efforts to change this narrative, focusing on the cultivation of wheat and the establishment of processing units. He noted the shift from importing to retaining financial resources within the country. The President also praised progress in rice production and local processing, which has resulted in quality products. Additionally, he mentioned promising experiments with pineapple cultivation, which shows potential in quality comparable to that of coastal countries.

Traore stressed the importance of developing genuine agricultural value chains to process national production locally, thereby strengthening Burkina Faso's economic sovereignty. He urged a shift in consumer behavior, encouraging Burkinabe people to prioritize local products. "Let's consume what we produce. We are rich, our farmers are brave," he stated, reiterating his dedication to local consumption and production that meets national needs.