The AES (Alliance of Sahel States – Niger 🇳🇪, Mali 🇲🇱, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫) has just signed an agreement with Russia for the upcoming launch of a telecommunications satellite that will cover all three countries of the alliance, while awaiting the three (03) high-altitude satellites ordered from Russia in November 2024, under agreements signed with the Russian company Roscosmos, with delivery scheduled within four years. These include a communications satellite, a detection satellite, and a radar satellite for defense and security.
The agreements also included the training of young Burkinabè, Malians, and Nigeriens in satellite operations, who will take control of these satellites after their deployment.
It should also be recalled that during the Russia–Africa ministerial summit in 2024, Burkina Faso 🇧🇫 signed an agreement with Russia for the joint construction of satellites, which would also mean the transfer of knowledge in the space field.