Niger’s Minister of Petroleum, Hamadou Tini, is participating in a joint mining and energy summit in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. Minister Tini is attending the event from September 14 to September 19, 2026. The summit, which began on September 14 and concludes on September 19, 2026, also incorporates the 1st edition of the Energy, Mines and Hydrocarbons Week of the Alliance of Sahel States (SEMH-AES). This significant regional gathering brings together representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger, focusing on collaborative efforts in the energy and mining sectors within the region. The event shows a collective commitment to enhancing resource management and economic development across the Alliance of Sahel States (AES).
Summit's Core Objectives
The primary theme for this edition of the summit is "Gouvernance souveraine des ressources extractives, transformation locale et harmonisation des politiques au sein de l’Alliance des États du Sahel (AES)," according to organizers. This overarching theme guides both the 8th edition of SAMAO and the 1st edition of SEMH-AES. Participating countries aim to enhance their cooperation across the energy, mining, and oil sectors. A key objective for the Alliance of Sahel States members is to locally valorize raw materials, including gold, lithium, uranium, and hydrocarbons, within the region. This strategy focuses on processing these resources domestically rather than exporting them in their raw form. The participating countries intend to strengthen their energy, mining, and oil cooperation, fostering a more integrated approach to resource management. The overall goal is to foster greater self-reliance and economic benefit from the region's natural wealth, moving towards a more sovereign control over their valuable extractive resources.
Event Details and Participants
The opening ceremony for the joint mining and energy summit in Ouagadougou was presided over by Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo of Burkina Faso. The event, which combines the 8th edition of the West African Mining Activities Week (SAMAO) and the 1st edition of the Energy, Mines and Hydrocarbons Week of the Alliance of Sahel States (SEMH-AES), features a full agenda. Several activities are planned throughout the summit, including various exhibitions showcasing advancements and opportunities in the extractive industries. These exhibitions provide a platform for technological exchange and business networking. High-level panels are also scheduled, bringing together experts and officials to discuss strategies for sovereign governance of extractive resources, local transformation, and policy harmonization within the Alliance of Sahel States. These discussions aim to foster greater regional cooperation and economic self-reliance, with a particular focus on the local valorization of raw materials such as gold, lithium, uranium, and hydrocarbons.
Regional Cooperation and Future
The joint mining and energy summit is currently underway in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso. This gathering marks the 8th edition of the West African Mining Week (SAMAO), a recurring event focused on the region's extractive industries. The summit serves as a key platform for member states of the Alliance of Sahel States (AES) to discuss strategies for enhancing cooperation and maximizing the benefits from their natural resources. Representatives from Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger are participating, aiming to align policies and promote local processing of materials such as gold, lithium, and uranium. The focus on sovereign governance of extractive resources and local transformation is central to the discussions, reflecting a shared vision for economic independence. The event shows a regional commitment to developing a more self-reliant approach to managing mineral and energy assets, and strengthening their collective energy, mining, and oil cooperation.