(MENAFN) Russia is set to launch a pilot engineering education initiative in Burkina Faso by the end of 2025, as announced by Deputy Energy Minister Roman Marshavin on Thursday.

Speaking at the Russia-Africa Raw Materials Dialogue in St. Petersburg, Marshavin emphasized that this program is aimed at strengthening local technical capabilities and ensuring long-term energy independence in the Sahel region.

According to Marshavin, “Energy justice implies not only the presence of infrastructure but also the training of highly qualified personnel capable of independently using and improving modern technologies.”

This initiative, initially focused on Burkina Faso, is expected to expand to other countries in the Sahel region.

The program seeks to foster local expertise in the nuclear, oil and gas, and mining sectors.

The Russian minister also pointed out that Russian companies have the technological expertise required to address Africa's growing industrial and energy needs, adding that there is "strong interest" among African partners to collaborate on these efforts.

During the same event, Russian Foreign Minister Sergey Lavrov underscored the significance of Russia-Africa cooperation, particularly in the mineral sector.

He remarked, “Russia and African countries have significant resource potential.”

Lavrov further noted that the commitment to enhancing mutually beneficial partnerships in this area is reflected in the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum Action Plan for 2023-2026.

Lavrov also praised the ongoing discussions regarding training and energy sovereignty, stating that these initiatives “deserve support.”

He concluded by affirming that the recommendations emerging from the forum will make a valuable contribution to the agenda of the upcoming second ministerial conference of the Russia-Africa Partnership Forum, which will be held in Cairo later this year.

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