In January 2025, a Burkinabé citizen, Abdoul Kader Bougouma, opened Burkina Faso's first electric-vehicle company, Itaoua. It designs and assembles vehicles using Chinese parts, making it the country's first car manufacturer of its kind. The company has stated that it designs cars with the Burkinabé landscape and climate in mind. Bougouma expressed that he was inspired to move back to Burkina Faso to start this company because of the political and economic transformation occurring under Ibrahim Traoré's presidency (@capitaineib226 on X). Since ousting a Western-aligned leader in a people-backed coup d'état, the new government has emphasised building sovereignty and economic self-determination.

This @mrghanababy (IG) video clip from an almost hour-long documentary showcases Itaoua's impact.

Until now, the country has depended almost exclusively on imported vehicles, most of which are used and not well-suited for the often rugged and unpaved interior roads. By establishing a company that assembles vehicles locally, Bougouma aims to reduce the country's dependency on imports and foster national pride.

The launch of Itaoua comes as Burkina Faso restructures its relationship with Western neo-colonial powers and looks inward for growth. Traoré, who came to power in 2022, has consistently emphasised the need for greater local production, often in state-owned factories, refineries and plants.

India-based Mordor Intelligence estimates electric-vehicle sales in Africa will jump to $28.3 billion, a more than 10 per cent spike from 2025.

While Itaoua is private, it aligns with the state's objective of developing local transportation infrastructure. Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, have discussed building a tri-state transportation infrastructure, including a railway system.

Burkina Faso has also launched the state-owned Faso Mêbo programme, which trains and hires young people in road construction, infrastructure development, and city beautification. It also trains youths in defense, civic duties and patriotism.

https://youtube.com/watch?v=CH9QfwrCH_M

https://youtube.com/watch?v=sFu0R5S0Ds8

https://www.mordorintelligence.com/industry-reports/africa-electric-vehicle-market

Source that contains all of the above -> https://xcancel.com/african_stream/status/1930108638867099849#m