The restored Kokologo Dam is inaugurated... Burkina Faso is banking on agriculture to achieve self-sufficiency.

Written by: Badr Ahmed

Burkina Faso's Prime Minister Rimetalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo inaugurated on Saturday the rehabilitated Kokologo Dam in the town of Kokologo in the Boulkemdi district of Nando province, in a move the government described as strengthening the path to achieving food sovereignty and supporting rural development through investment in water infrastructure.

The dam's reopening comes after the completion of its rehabilitation following nearly 18 years of neglect and disuse. It had completely collapsed in 2008 after undergoing initial repairs. The project was completed in just three months, fully funded by the 2025 state budget, and overseen by the National Office for Dams and Agricultural Water Development (ONBAH). .

Increasing storage capacity to more than 806,000 cubic meters

The government explained that the dam was first built in 1955 through the efforts of local residents, while recent rehabilitation work has increased its storage capacity to more than 806,000 cubic meters of water, allowing for the provision of sustainable water resources to support agriculture, livestock farming, fishing and aquaculture.

During the opening ceremony, the Prime Minister stressed that the speed of completion of the project and the quality of its implementation reflect the efficiency of national institutions, noting that the dam will open new economic horizons for the region, especially with the imminent start of work on developing an irrigated agricultural area estimated at about 25 hectares.

He added that the project will contribute to the production of vegetables, rice and corn, in addition to supporting fish farming activities, which will provide new job opportunities for young people and women, improve farmers’ incomes, as well as contribute to replenishing groundwater and maintaining ecological balance.

Wedraogo stressed that the project represents more than just a water facility, considering it a key pillar for revitalizing the local economy, stimulating agricultural production and enhancing food security, which directly impacts improving the living standards of the population.

He also called on local authorities and residents of the area to preserve and maintain the dam, and to work to ensure its sustainability as a strategic resource that serves future generations, stressing that the success of the project depends on the beneficiaries’ participation in protecting it and making the best use of it.

At the conclusion of his visit, the Prime Minister expressed his hope that the dam would become a center for agricultural and fish production, and contribute to the economic empowerment of young people, stressing that the government continues to invest in water infrastructure projects as one of the most important drivers of economic development, supporting food self-sufficiency, and enhancing reliance on national resources and Burkinabe expertise to achieve sustainable development.