Burkina Faso Military Is Reviving Dead Industries

In a determined push to reinvigorate Burkina Faso’s industrial sector, the military-led government has taken decisive action to breathe new life into BRAFASSO, the Brasserie du Faso. This once-prominent beverage production company, which fell into decline over a decade ago, is now set for a significant revival with the government committing more than 11 billion CFA francs to restore its operations. This initiative is emblematic of the broader economic strategy pursued by the government, which seeks to restore domestic industrial capabilities and reduce reliance on imports.

BRAFASSO’s history is one of ambition and potential. Established in October 2004, the company quickly became a symbol of Burkina Faso’s industrial aspirations. Spanning a vast 100-hectare site, BRAFASSO was equipped with facilities that included a mineral water production section, a sugar refinery, and an expansive brewery. The company's lemonade section boasted an impressive annual production capacity of 235,000 hectoliters, while its brewery was capable of producing up to 480,000 hectoliters per year. At the time, these figures positioned BRAFASSO to become the largest brewery in the West African sub-region, a potential milestone in the country’s industrial history.