Chapter 2 - Cpt. Ibrahim Traoré and the AES - The People, Industry and Economy

An analysis of the industries and Economic development policies for the people of the Alliance des États Sahels - 2020-25 - the achievements so far...

Burkinabe Soldiers raise the Burkina Faso Flag, alongside the new AES Flag

A Multi-Polar Economy needs a Multi-Polar Security Architecture

The Alliance des États Sahels have laid their political mandate down to the world; it states clearly that they are a politically sovereign confederation of nation-states and from here on, will take independent decisions and action on their security situation, political relations and economic policies. The future has definitively changed, because of this very present and fast developing event that has shaken the stagnant corridors of the African Union and other mysteriously quiet presidential houses around the continent. The plantation managers that run ECOWAS for their western masters, have piped down from their previously aggressive threats of military invasion and are now showing signs of sanity, thanks to the incredible response from the African youth towards the AES and especially towards the new iconic figure of Cpt. Ibrahim Traoré. What initially appeared as a messy and chaotic situation; the Junta led coup d'états that occurred in the three countries quickly organized themselves into political accordance with one another and it was actually the outside attacks from France, U.S.A and their ECOWAS puppets, that in many respects forced the group to unify the way it has.

This all leads us to this present moment, some three years down the timeline since these major changes took place in Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger and we now begin to see the true Pan-African intentions behind this Confederation. A national economic plan is beginning to arise from the ashes of this revolution for the people and the military leaders that represent their call are taking foundational action for future prosperity. First though, security is the call of the day because without it, physical economic development can not take place and that development, is the key to ridding any nation of poverty and extremism for the long term. Poverty will always lead to large groups of vulnerable people and it is often those unfortunate souls, that are pulled into this vicious and well funded web of global extremism. This ideological scourge must be brought to a dramatic and total defeat, it must be wiped from the very face of our planet and the powers that be who fund it, must also be utterly and totally defeated. China and Russia already understand the gravity of the situation; for this new multi-polar sovereign paradigm to fully emerge victorious, it will need to realize the erasure of global terrorism and restore global security and order. An almighty task it may seem but certainly possible and China has just the formula; A shared future for the human community defined by four Global initiatives -

• The Global Development Initiative

• The Global Security Initiative

• The Global Civilization Initiative

• The Global A.I Governance Initiative

The fact of the matter is this; MICIMATT and NATO operators unleashed the violent and illegal invasion of Libya and the murder of the now legendary Pan-African icon, Muammar al-Qaddafi and in doing so, sent a horde of weapons into the hands of extremists and terrorist groups. These groups have done their duty for their masters and have launched a proxy continental war on the Sahel nations and it will take the full coordination of the Sovereigns, China and Russia, to sort it out. Under a multi-polar alliance with BRICS+ nations at the fore of these initiatives, it is possible to bring the world out of NATO-stan terrorist chaos and into an open system multipolar development that focuses on the uplifting of other civilizations, alongside major powers like China and Russia. These two super-parents of the world, are guarantors of this new paradigm and can physically provide the global security for the physical economic development of the Global South. They can create the security architecture for the poor colonially landlocked Sahel nations to get out from under the western controlled coastal nations umbrella (ECOWAS), to form regional confederations like the AES. To add to this, technical assistance is already in full flow between Russia and the AES, Central African Republic, Chad, Sudan and others, with the potential offer of increased physical military assistance somewhere down the near-term road. One of the world’s most liked diplomats - Sergey Lavrov, spelled out the details on his most recent meeting with the AES. Here are the listed agreements:

• Four-way meetings of the foreign ministers of Russia and the Alliance of Sahel States (Niger, Burkina Faso and Mali), will be held on an annual basis.

• Russia would be willing to facilitate the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States’ joint armed forces.

• A considerable number of Russian advisers operate in the Alliance of Sahel States’ territory.

• Russia regards the creation of the Alliance of Sahel States as a drive to establish new security architecture in the region.

• Moscow is ready to provide comprehensive defense, security and economic assistance to the Alliance of Sahel States.

• Ukraine supports terrorists in the Sahel, and the West condones it.

When the AES have reorganized what will end up becoming a 200,000 strong regional army, Russia could, and most likely will provide the necessary physical backup in the air and even at sea, to grind the NATO-stan terrorist structure into tiny grains of sand and to scatter those grains like ashes, into the golden Saharan desert. The poem of the great Percy Shelley - Ozymandias - springs to mind, only that this king never really built anything in these deserts, he only sought to control what was under the sand…

Russian Foreign Minister - Sergei Lavrov meets with the AES ministers in Moscow, April 2025.

---

National Economic Development is the true revolution

My obituary for NATO is complete and i will duly move forward on a much more optimistic front from now on and not without sound and solid reason to back it up. The area of economics leaves little room for sentiment and can offer us real insights into what the day to day future standard of living can look like. It can offer us true intrinsic hope that is based on previously discovered economic principles, like the scientific development of ones national resources for both the education and uplifting of a national culture and also the economy and levels of prosperity too. I mostly agree that poverty is an infection of the mind that stems from an individual or nation lacking belief in their capacity for discovery and creativity. It is important for any nation to have an aristocracy in power whom has the fundamental belief that one; all humans are made in the living image of God and therefore all citizens of your nation are equally capable of making significant creative contributions to the nation and the world. Important contributions in the Arts, Culture, Science, Agriculture, Architecture, Engineering, Digital Technology and A.I, are all ways of glorifying the nation and focus on bettering yourself for the greater good of the other, rather than trying to conquer the other. This has essentially created the foundation for what China has achieved in the last half century, as they have been the most successful nation in uplifting the fortune of their people. They have benefitted from investing in their own, rather than investing in foreign wars and the invasions of other nations. In 1981 the percentage of people living in poverty stood at a rather drastic 88%, compared with 0% today and this is with an even more stringent benchmark of less than US$2.30 a day, than the World Banks’ 2011 rate of less than $1.90 a day (currently US$2.15 a day, still not at China’s higher mark). China has shown the world what is possible with good governance for their own domestic population and have de-facto proved that their model is a good model for the eradication of poverty. This is enticing nations like the AES, to question their own model of governance and it could very well lead to a very well organized and governed confederation in the future. So that being the assumed case, lets take a look at the exciting economic prospects for this young budding Confederation of Pan-African Sovereigns…

President Assimi Goïta inspects the Malian Military

---

The Economic action - 2020-2025

The AES have announced together, the creation of a single AES currency, a unified AES passport, a unified AES Flag and a collective AES military.

Mali -

1. In the field of education, the "Sikasso university recently welcomed its first students. Work is ongoing so that the universities of Kayes, Gao, Tombouctou, and Badiagara can be operational again."

2. Survey data from pan-African research network Afrobarometer and the Mali-Métre survey, run by Germany’s Friedrich-Ebert-Stiftung since 2012, indicate high levels of satisfaction with junta rule. In the 2024 Mali-Métre, nine out of ten respondents considered the country to be moving in the right direction. Meanwhile, 70% of Malians identified combating insecurity as their highest priority while data from Mali-Métre 2024, suggest Goïta enjoys an approval rating (96 per cent).

3. Mali has cleared its national debt, signaling a new era of financial independence for the West African nation. Goïta’s administration has been focused on reducing Mali’s dependency on international financial assistance while navigating complex economic and security challenges. This debt repayment is a testament to his administration's commitment to fiscal responsibility, economic reform, and sovereignty.

4. Mali, under General Assimi Goïta's reign officially becomes the first African nation to be debt free. When General Assimi Goïta took over, he sold all the assets belonging to the corrupt elites & sent them to jail including former president's son & Ministers.

5. Mali’s Transparency International Corruption Perception Index score decreased to 29% in 2021.

6. Mali faced weaker-than-expected growth in 2022, according to the African Development Bank. GDP growth was expected to increase by 3.2% in 2022 but only grew by 2.1%. In 2021, GDP per capita grew by 0.1%, revealing a slow recovery from COVID-19. GDP growth was estimated at 4.0% for 2024, significant growth and a quick turnaround.

7. In a recent speech to the nation, Col. Assimi Goïta also outlined a vision of future prosperity, listing some developments in the agricultural and social fields. He mentioned an increased budget devolved to local governments. In 2024, "they received 440 billion CFA francs from 412 billion the previous year.”

   

   New Lithium Plant from Chinas Gangfeng Grp - Mali

8. Kodal Minerals announced, on February 7, 2025, the production of the first concentrate of lithium spodumene in its Bougouni factory. This new development marks the beginning of a large-scale industrial activity. With a factory now operational 24/7, the country confirms itself as a strategic player in the global lithium market. To add to the industry, China’s Gangfeng Lithium Group plans to buyout a lithium mine in Goulamina, Mali.

   

9. Mali’s reforms to the mining and investment codes, as well as initiatives to reform the tax codes, which have yet to be fully implemented, have been welcomed as necessary steps for improving the business environment.

10. Reforming Mali’s mining sector: Goïta has arrested foreign gold smugglers and has dismantled illegal mining sites. His government is making a state owned mine for gold exploration as well, and the state will take ownership stakes in mines that foreign firms are operating in. Barrick Gold of Canada was recently bought out of their mining operations in Mali. Under the terms of the deal, Barrick Gold agreed to pay about $438 million USD to Mali. Barrick's Mali mine shutdown follows gold confiscation worth $318 million USD.

11. 2024 also saw the launch of the general agricultural census that should "pave the way for a digitalization of farms". Efforts in the "hydro-agricultural planning continue" in order to "sustainably harness the full potential of the Niger and Senegal rivers".

12. Nationalization of textiles: The government has renationalized a formerly privatized state owned firm - COMATEX, a textile manufacturer

    

    Restored COMATEX S.A Cotton processing plant

13. The economic results in 2022 were buoyed by a strong cotton harvest of 800,000 tonnes for the full tax-year, which allowed the country to reclaim the title of the biggest African producer of cotton.

14. Col. Assimi Goïta said that "Numerous solar power plants are in the works" as the country seeks to find the optimal "energy mix" to "boost its electricity access".

15. Goïta's government has all but terminated ties with France and has shifted towards Russia, seeking to replace Western influence with Russian support. French military were asked to leave the country in 2022, after a 9 year “occupation" and duly complied.

16. Russia’s Africa Corps provides site security, private intelligence, aircraft, aerial radar, and information warfare which protects Mali civilians and the government from terrorism. In return, Russia’s Africa Corps is requesting access to gold mining in Mali as compensation and wishes to build a gold refinery in the capital, Bamako. The refinery, which will have a capacity of 200 tonnes of gold per year, is intended to help Mali control its gold production and correctly apply taxes and duties. Mining Technology reported that the refinery is expected to be one of the largest in West Africa when built.

17. Thereafter, Mali has achieved major success in pushing back and defeating the G5-aided terrorist scourge. Goïta celebrated the "progressive return of basic public services and key infrastructures" in the cities of Ber, Tessalit, Anéfis, Kidal and Aguelhok. He credited the restored sovereignty over these cities to the "stabilization operations" led by the Malian military. The country has been fighting for over a decade Islamist terrorist groups. Separatists groups in recent years started to work in sync with terrorist groups.

18. Goïta has requested attack drones from Turkey. In December 2024, Mali has acquired Turkish-made Akinci drones, along with the previously acquired Bayraktar TB2 drones. The drones are intended to help Mali's armed forces in their fight against armed groups, including separatist and Islamist insurgencies, in the northern region.

    

    Turkish made Bayraktar TB2 drones in Mali

Burkina Faso -

1. Cashew Processing Plant.

2. Cotton Processing Plant.

3. SOFATO Tomato Processing Factory, SOBTO Tomato Processing Factory and Tenkodogo tomato processing factory (under construction). As a result, tomato production increased from 315,000 tonnes in 2022 to 360,000 tonnes in 2024.

4. Milk processing plants: five to be built in five cities. One has already been completed and opened in the capital. Butter, cheese, yoghurt, milk are the products.

5. A wheat flour factory (a PPP Project) + Wheat and rice productions have significantly increased. Millet production rose from 907,000 tonnes in 2022 to 1.1 million tonnes in 2024, while rice production increased from 280,000 tonnes in 2022 to 326,000 tonnes in 2024.

6. A company producing fertilizers and other agricultural inputs backed by scientific research centers in the field + Massive amounts of agricultural machinery acquired for agricultural development.

7. A Cement Factory (a PPP project).

8. 55 Medical centers are being built in all rural areas.

9. Polytechnic University (under construction).

10. Scholarships for Nuclear Science: Traoré negotiated and obtained with Russia a scholarship program for Burkina students to study nuclear science in Russia as Burkina is building its first nuclear power plant. The program is starting this coming academic year.

11. Nuclear Power Plant (project ongoing). It's being executed by the Russian giant Rosatom and a new dam is under construction.

12. Road construction: massive road constructions aiming to pave 5000 kms per year. It's worth noting that the entire country had only 3000+ kms of paved roads since independence up to the present day (more than 60 years).

13. New public transportation buses + a new company called Faso Rail for the manufacturing of train rails.

14. Donsin International Airport: an old project that was almost stopped because of corruption. Traoré restructured everything, and the airport is soon to be completed + with Air Burkina: Traoré bought a new airplane and revived the company

    

    The new Donsin International Airport Design

15. Stadium renovated: the main stadium in Burkina Faso was shut down for almost 5 years now. FIFA and CAF ruled that it doesn't meet the International standards.. Under Traoré, it has been renovated to the International standards. It will soon be opened.

16. A big and modern Business center (under construction). It's called Burkindi Business Center. In the capital Ouagadougou.

17. Two Data Centers for digital industries like A.I. (under construction).

18. An electric car company: its called ITAOUA (name of a small village in Burkina). It's a private company but Traoré's administration has facilitated things for the entrepreneur. Just a few months after coming to power, Traoré said that Burkina Faso will have an electric car manufacturing plant.

19. Tema Multi Purpose Terminal: part of Tema Port of Ghana. Traoré bought it for $70 million USD. It's a hydrocarbon storage facility and it will ensure uninterrupted fuel supply to Burkina Faso.

20. SONHABY: the state company distributing fuel in Burkina. Its storage capacity has been significantly increased by building new facilities.

21. Two big gold mines nationalized and the export of Raw Gold was banned. A Gold Reserve was created: Burkina Faso has never had gold reserve before. New mining sector regulations to ensure total control of the sector by the state and in addition to this, Burkina Faso’s first Gold refinery is under construction.

22. Banque Postal du Burkina Faso - BPBF (a government owned bank to finance small businesses).

23. The Thomas Sankara Mausoleum (to be inaugurated on May 17, 2025)

    

    Thomas Sankara Mausoleum newly opened

24. A military academy (announced on May 14, 2024 after Traoré's visit to Russia).

25. Army restructured, and state of art equipment acquired. A state of the art mobile clinic for the army too while a local company has been setup for manufacturing army military uniforms that used to be manufactured abroad.

26. Under Traoré, vast areas of the country that were controlled by terrorist organizations, have been and continue to be liberated.

27. Traoré paid off local debts (the last batch was paid end of March 2025).

28. Burkina Faso’s GDP has increased with 5.1% growth in 2024, up from 3.0% in 2023. In 2024 it was $21.86 billion USD, then in 2023 it recorded $20.32 billion USD, up from $18.82 billion USD in 2022, the year Traoré took power. The three previous years before, the GDP was $16.03 billion USD, $17.73 billion USD and $19.64 billion USD for the years 2019, 2020 and 2021 respectively.

29. Good Governance: In 2024, Burkina ranked 9th best governed country in Africa and 3rd in West Africa. Ranking made by World Economic Governance Index 2024.

30. Unprecedented anti-corruption reforms implemented in the administration. This is one reason Burkina scored high in the good Governance ranking. We note that the well known Mo Ibrahim Foundation, did not include Burkina in its top performing presidents for one reason; it does not recognize presidents who came to power by a coup, otherwise, Traoré would have made it to the list.

31. Cultural restoration - School Uniform: All school uniforms are from a locally made fabric called Faso Danfani while the gowns of judges and lawyers are now made of Faso Danfani also.

For more info on Burkina Faso and Ibrahim Traoré’s economic achievements, check my first article on the subject…

The rising Star of Cpt. Ibrahim Traoré - Burkina Faso's Spirit of Sankara

Cotton processing by a woman wearing Faso Danfani fabric (L) and Faso Danfani embroiderers (R)

Niger -

1. Since assuming power in mid-2023, President Abdourahamane Tchiani has emerged as a transformative leader for Niger. His governance has brought tangible improvements to ordinary citizens and achievements that have silenced doubters.

2. In Niger, the main exports are Uranium (75% of total GDP), Gold, Petroleum products and Agricultural products. The Minister of Trade has banned the export of Uranium and Gold to France specifically, nowhere else yet. A total trade ban is in effect on the livestock trade of sheep, goats, cattle, and camels. This is to support domestic food prices.

3. In November 2023, Niger commissioned the construction of a $6 billion USD pipeline linking its southeastern oilfields to the port in Benin. The 2,000km pipeline, (making it is the longest pipeline in Africa) with an export capacity of 90,000 barrels per day, offers Niger a vital new revenue stream. The pipeline was built and is operated by the China National Petroleum Corporation (CNPC). It was built between 2019–23, with exports initially expected to begin in January 2024. After a border closure dispute between Niger and Benin was resolved thanks to Chinese mediation, exports through the pipeline began in May 2024. Authorities believe oil exports could eventually account for 25% of Niger’s GDP and contribute half of the country’s tax revenues. Unfortunately, the pipeline was closed again after just one shipment of oil. On June 16, 2024 an attack by a rebel group opposed to the Nigerien military junta damaged the pipeline, likely a covert operation, organized by a foreign actor to stymy their progress.

   

   Map of Niger-Benin Oil Pipeline

4. Niger's economy grew by about 11.9% in 2022, becoming one of the fastest growing economies in the world, supported by the recovery in agricultural production after the severe drought in 2021. Niger’s economy, which slowed to 4.1% GDP growth in 2023, is forecast to recover significantly with 10.4% GDP growth in 2024. This was largely due to 48.5% boost in exports, particularly oil. The average growth over the next five years is expected to be 7.5%, with the implementation of other large-scale projects coming online.

5. Additionally, the current account deficit dropped from 9.3% to 6.2% of GDP, marking stronger fiscal health.

6. In under two years, over 260,000 Nigeriens have risen out of poverty, reflecting General Tchiani’s commitment to inclusive development.

7. The Military ordered both French and US troops to leave the West African country. France has since announced the withdrawal of its troops from Niger in 2023. On 25 August, the junta ordered French ambassador Sylvain Itté to leave the country within 48 hours while the US has also withdrawn its forces since last September, 2024.

8. The Minister of the Interior, Public Security, and Territorial Administration, Brigadier General Mohamed Toumba, granted an audience, followed by a working session, this Thursday, May 8, 2025, to a delegation from the Islamic Republic of Iran, with the focus of discussions on developing cooperation in the fight against insecurity. The delegation is led by Brigadier General Ahmed Rezaei Radan, Commander-in-Chief of the Iranian Law Enforcement and Security Forces on a working mission in Niger. To this end, discussions focused on training, the sharing of information and experience in the fight against crime, terrorism, serious crime, border control, and drug trafficking. Following the discussions, it was agreed to establish a committee of experts that will meet annually, alternating between the two countries. It was also decided to send elements of the Nigerien Police and National Guard for training at the Iranian Police University in Tehran.

9. After taking control of Uranium mines previously utilized by French company Orano, sales of Uranium have been nationalized it seems and Iran and Niger have covertly organized the sale of 300 tonnes of uranium to Iran for $56 Million USD.

10. Before the 2023 military coup, Niger earned just about $1 billion USD annually from its vast uranium reserves, despite being one of the world’s top suppliers. Most of the profits went to foreign companies, especially French-owned Orano, under long-standing contracts dating back to colonial times. As a result of these changes, Niger reportedly stands to earn over $300 billion USD from its uranium sector in the coming years—a massive economic transformation.

11. Niamey still supports Global Atomic, a Canadian company, for its Dasa uranium mine project. Unlike GoviEx, another Canadian company, which has not made substantial progress on its Madaouela uranium project despite attracting over $200 million USD in financing interest, Global Atomic has already begun constructing the Dasa mine.

12. “If Traore can achieve success for Burkina Faso, it is also feasible in Niger.” - Niger President Abdourahamane Tchiani remarks after signing a joint venture agreement with Suvarna Royal Gold Trading LLC, an Emirati company, to establish the country's first gold refinery and gemstone processing units in Niamey. This partnership will result in the construction of a gold refinery, jewelry manufacturing unit, and gemstone cutting and polishing center in Niger.

13. Niger begins manufacturing its own military vehicles - A 100% Nigerien military buggy, manufactured in Niamey by a team of local engineers, was presented to the Chief of Staff. Designed for the Sahelian terrain, this all-terrain vehicle showcases the expertise and ingenuity of Niger.

    

    Newly and domestically designed Niger Military Buggy

    ---

    An AES Pan-African Economy - The Africans set course for the new port of unification

The AES has already achieved what so few have managed in the decades gone past and that is the revival of the Pan-African spirit in the youth of Africa. A spirit of defiant sovereignty and a will to prove their own capacity to develop, is emerging quickly and Africans continent-wide, are standing up to demand access to their resources. They are the necessary force to support the leaders of the three nations of Mali, Burkina Faso and Niger, so that they can push their own elites to unite under that same quality of leadership. These three nations and especially the towering figure of Ibrahim Traoré, have been given the spiritual mandate from the African youth, to lead all other African governments to a sovereign and economically independent future; a future where foreign control or hegemonic ambitions have been totally halted and erased, to be replaced with a just, equitable and honest relationship with the world arena. One where Africans are not afraid to stand up for their interests in every regard, whether political, cultural or economical.

This AES harbor is quickly pulling others into dock and they are changing the essential security situation in the Sahel. I can assure you, that soon that battle with the NATO-stan terrorists will be won and the AES nations will go on to develop new industries at lightspeed, without such horrific distractions. Then everyone in the world will know, that not only can Russia, China and Iran withstand the attacks of the Globalist Unipolar NATO Hegemon, but the Pan-African AES revival can too and this will open the door to the entire continent throwing of its colonial shackles, once and for all!

Welcome to the African economic renaissance, brought to you by the Alliance des États Sahels…

Malian kids singing Russian songs in a cultural event between Mali and Russia

To be continued in Part three - The AES that Cheikh Anta Diop foresaw - An economic renaissance is begun - A Political and Economic analysis from 2025-30.