Burkina Faso's gold exports surged to roughly $10 billion in 2025, and now Saudi investors are circling.

The West African nation exported 99.13 tonnes of gold worth CFA5.88 trillion last year, equivalent to about $10 billion, according to customs data. Gold accounted for more than 91% of the country's total export value.

The latest suitor is Sarmady Co. Its head, Nouf Ali Alsalaten Al Qhatani, met Burkina Faso's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Boukary Savadogo, in Riyadh on August 30. Discussions focused on investment and partnership opportunities in Burkina Faso's gold sector, which the government considers a strategic pillar of the national economy.

Al Qhatani expressed strong interest in investing and praised the economic direction of authorities under Captain Ibrahim Traoré. Company representatives also highlighted improvements in the country's security situation, describing it as an important factor in assessing investment prospects.

The scale of the sector explains the growing foreign interest. Burkina Faso generated more than CFA776 billion ($1.4 billion) in budget revenue from mining activities in 2025, while directing more than CFA85 billion to its mining development fund.

The country also recorded more than 94 tonnes of gold production in 2025, including about 42 tonnes from artisanal mining, according to figures presented by Energy, Mines and Quarries Minister Yacouba Zabré Gouba.

The overture is part of a broader push to deepen economic ties between Burkina Faso and Saudi Arabia. In April, a delegation of about 20 Saudi investors met Burkinabe officials in Riyadh, with potential opportunities identified across energy, finance, precious metals, agro-processing, aviation and international trade.

For now, Sarmady's interest has not translated into a financial commitment. The company was invited to submit an investment proposal, which Burkina Faso's embassy will forward to the relevant authorities for review.

The government is increasingly asserting state and local ownership of gold mines as President Traoré advances an economic sovereignty agenda to reduce foreign control over the mining sector.