COUNTRY: BURKINA FASO.

A new initiative launched in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso, is seeking to mobilise one million Africans in the diaspora to contribute one euro each month towards development projects in the Alliance of Sahel States (AES). Presented on 31 October 2026, the initiative is led by the Confederation of African Peoples for the Alliance of Sahel States (CPA-AES Diaspora), coordinated by Aoua Camara. According to Burkina 24, the campaign aims to turn individual contributions into a collective resource for Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger. If it reaches its target, the initiative could raise one million euros monthly, or twelve million euros annually. However, this remains a projection based on achieving one million regular contributors, not money already collected.

The initiative also seeks to mobilise the knowledge and professional experience of Africans living abroad. Its proposed priorities include agriculture and food sovereignty, education, digital innovation, peace, social cohesion, culture and cooperation. La Plume reports that the agricultural programme could support local processing of raw materials, including cotton, while creating opportunities for jobs and local production. The organisers have also identified possible support for vulnerable women, including displaced women and agricultural workers in Bassinko, through market gardening equipment and soap-making training. These projects are estimated to cost between five and ten million CFA francs. AES Insider, citing Faso7, further highlights plans to involve engineers, teachers, health professionals, lawyers and entrepreneurs. This approach recognises that the diaspora can contribute more than money; it can also share skills and expertise.

The organisers say they intend to establish dedicated accounts, financial controls and clear criteria for selecting projects. They also promise regular reports on contributions received, spending and results. La Plume’s report provides further details about proposed project monitoring, budget controls and the need to account for collection and administrative costs. The launch included initial symbolic contributions, but the campaign must still build a wider membership and demonstrate that it can manage funds responsibly. AES Insider’s additional coverage, which credits the Agence d’Information du Burkina (AIB), also reports that the initiative is planned over a 25-year period. Its long-term ambition is significant, but public trust will depend on clear financial reporting and visible results. If properly managed, the effort could give Africans abroad a more organised role in financing development and strengthening economic self-reliance across the Sahel.

PHOTO SOURCE: BURKINA 24
Author: Randy Lawson.