Ouagadougou: The Minister of Infrastructure and Accessibility addressed the Foreign Affairs, Defense and Security Committee (CAEDS) of the Transitional Legislative Assembly on Wednesday, April 2, 2025. The discussion centered on evaluating fire risk prevention measures in Burkina Faso's urban centers and reviewing the implementation of the concession agreement for operating the nation's rail transport.

According to Burkina Information Agency, a significant topic during the session was the management and rehabilitation of Burkina Faso's railway network, seen as vital for improving the country's connectivity. The minister noted that emergency railway work, costing an estimated 32 billion CFA francs, is set to commence in the first half of 2026. This is part of the SKBo project, with donor agreements finalized on March 27, 2025.

Beyond immediate actions, a comprehensive railway rehabilitation program is underway. Following preliminary studies between 2023 and 2024, authorities plan major work on the Abidjan-Kaya line by 2028, with a budget of 853 billion CFA francs. Despite these plans, the minister pointed out challenges such as financing, the railway sector's low financial appeal, and Burkina Faso's security issues.

The minister emphasized that linking railway operations to mining could improve profitability. Security concerns remain an obstacle, necessitating increased vigilance for infrastructure projects. Despite these hurdles, the government committed to phased railway regeneration, funded annually from internal resources, to enhance the rail network steadily.