Capital, culture, economy of Burkina Faso
Airspace has reopened between Mali and Algeria and ambassadors are to resume duties after a year-long diplomatic rift triggered by a drone incident. Mali says its airspace is open to all civilian and military flights; Algeria confirms the move as ties thaw in a volatile Sahel.
Cotton is making a quiet comeback in Busia, Kenya, where farmers are cultivating tiny plots that limit production. While some see improved livelihoods and education funded by cotton, others warn that tiny acreages and weak markets hinder full-scale revival. Burkina Faso farmers are diversifying into pineapples as a government push for food sovereignty expands local production amid security and hunger concerns.
Burkina Faso has inaugurated the Raffinor-BF gold refinery in Ouagadougou with a capacity of 164 tonnes per year, aiming to process gold locally and cut reliance on foreign firms. The project, funded by the state and private sector, is part of a broader push to control natural resources and boost domestic value-adding amid regional security challenges.