What African Leaders Can Learn from Ibrahim Traore

There has been a sudden rise in our awakening in Africa. Leaders are kicking out colonial partners. This has not been seen since the days of pan Africanism that swept across the continent since independence. The question is what we have done with our independence since then. What picture have we created with our sovereignty? Let us examine what Burkina Faso is doing.

Ibrahim Traore is a military officer and a political figure in Burkina Faso. He rose to power through a coup de tat that took place in September of 2022, which resulted in the ousting of Paul Henri Sandaogo Dimba, who came to power through a coup January of the same year.

Traore, who was a captain in Burkinabe military then cited the failures of the previous regime to efficiently address the country’s security challenges, particularly the threat from Islamist militants, as a key reason for the coup.

Following the takeover, Traore was declared leader and interim president of Burkina Faso leading the country under a transitional government with the promise of eventually restoring democratic rule. In two years, since assuming power, he has achieved the unexpected. The GDP of Burkina Faso rose from 18.8 Billion to 22.1 Billion. How could a leader achieve such a feat in a short time?

Firstly, he cut the salaries of ministers and parliamentarians by 30% while raising civil servants salary by 50%. This in turn brings about circulation of money in the economy while also making his leaders live within their means. This strengthens the purchasing power of its citizens unlike taxing them as examined in other countries.

Secondly, he declined taking loans from the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank. This decision enhances sovereignty of the nation and can design and implement policies tailored to their specific needs without the conditions or structural adjustments programs often attached to these institutions. The country also avoids debt traps by becoming self-reliant.

President Traore in 2023 also launched a modern gold mine to strengthen local processing capacity. In the previous regimes, gold was often exported unrefined to Europe. This enables the country to enjoy the true value of its resources. The leader is trying to make his country as productive as possible. He constructed the country’s first tomato processing plant. He has also constructed a second cotton processing plant adding to the existing one. This is to improve yield and utilize the resources available.

The leader also prioritized agriculture by distributing over 400 tractors, 239 tillers, 710 motor pumps and 714 motorcycles to provide support to rural communities all over Burkina Faso. He also improved seeds and other agricultural inputs and the rewards have been sensational. Tomato production grew from 315,000 metric tons in 2022 to 360,000 metric tons in 2024. Rice production rose from 280,000 metric tons in 2022 to 326,000 metric tons in 2024.

Another eye catching change in this leadership is that he prohibited the use of British legal wigs and gowns in local courts, replacing them with traditional Burkinabe attire. A clear sign of sovereignty and breaking the shackles of mental slavery.

These examples and policies of Africa’s rising star has birthed changes as her neighbors have followed suit in their own development. African leaders should learn to take hold of their own destinies to enjoy the true meaning of independence, power and sovereignty.