Boudry: Twenty-five women from the commune have successfully completed a training workshop on local content rules in the mining sector, organized by the Association of Women in the Mining Sector of Burkina Faso (AFEMIB) with support from the Project to Support the Strengthening of Land and Mine Management (PARGFM). The workshop, which concluded on Friday, November 14, 2025, provided participants with insights into local procurement markets and the regulations governing interactions between suppliers, communities, and mining companies.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the closing ceremony was led by Soutongnoma Aristide Yameogo, the Secretary General of the Boudry town hall, who represented the president of the special municipal delegation. He acknowledged the importance of the training in addressing issues related to local terminology and the unrealistic expectations that often arise in mining areas. He applauded AFEMIB for the initiative and urged participants to disseminate their newly acquired knowledge to better manage the resources from gold mining.
The workshop included direct engagements between the participants and representatives of the Sanbrado Mining Company (SOMISA), which operates locally. Aissata Bonkoungou, the local procurement officer, outlined the procedures for submitting service proposals, entering the supplier database, and the criteria for contract awards. She highlighted the distinction between general local procurement and "local-local" procurement, which specifically targets neighboring communities.
Leontine Traore, responsible for local employment, discussed the recruitment process in affected villages and emphasized the challenges posed by the lack of qualifications among some candidates. She urged women to invest in their children's education to expand future opportunities.
Nab Edouard Kambire, AFEMIB's program officer, positioned the workshop within the association's broader capacity-building initiatives, addressing common misunderstandings in mining communities. He clarified that local content does not imply exclusive recruitment or compulsory local purchases, aiming to help women entrepreneurs identify genuine opportunities.
Panomnimba Jerome Zoungrana from the Permanent Secretariat for Local Content and Investment Promotion (SPCLPI) presented modules on the legal framework for local content, the Local Procurement Exchange (LPE) platforms, and the sector's needs. He highlighted a 2024 law on local content regulations, including employment quotas and mandatory supplier accreditation, and introduced the LPE, a platform linking mining companies with service providers.
Participants engaged actively, with Marie Dipama, president of the Wendpanga association, expressing the value of practical exercises. Her group, involved in producing poultry, small ruminants, soap, and soumbala, aims to qualify as a supplier for the mine. She valued the awareness raised on child labor's negative impact at mining sites.
The workshop concluded with recommendations for the mine, municipal administration, State, and AFEMIB, focusing on simplifying procedures, information dissemination, and aiding women in formalizing their activities. Lucie Kabre, president of AFEMIB, urged municipal authorities to support their efforts in empowering women.
This training in Boudry is part of a series of workshops across six mining communities, emphasizing that local content is a structured mechanism requiring comprehension, diligence, and perseverance.