Faith Nyasuguta
Burkina Faso is constructing a sweeping new international airport approximately 35 km northeast of Ouagadougou, designed to replace the aging Thomas Sankara Airport – built in the 1960s by France – which has struggled with crowding, pollution, and safety concerns. As urban development encroached on the site, experts warned of increasing hazards to residents and limitations on growth.
Dubbed the Donsin Airport, the project occupies an expansive 4,400 hectares near Donsin village. Construction began in earnest in September 2021 and has achieved nearly 86% completion by March 2024, with full operations slated for late 2025 or early 2026.
A standout is the 3,500-metre runway, built to international standards and capable of accommodating wide-body aircraft – with plans to extend to 4,000 metres for future scalability. The airfield, taxiways, drainage, and lighting systems have been installed, as well as perimeter fencing in line with ICAO safety regulations.
Beyond basic infrastructure, the project underscores Burkina Faso’s ambition to be economically modern and environmentally responsible. Engineering firm Sogea-Satom partnered with Universite 2iE to pioneer low-carbon concrete, reducing clinker use and minimizing carbon emissions during construction. Additionally, a 25-MW solar power plant with integrated battery storage – funded by China’s EXIM Bank – is set to stabilize airport energy needs and feed excess power into the national grid.
Financing this monumental project has involved both international lender support and regional investment. Supporters include the World Bank, African Development Bank, Kuwait Fund, ECOWAS Bank, BOAD, OFID, and BADEA, with a total estimated cost of around US$700 million. A previous French concession agreement with Meridiam was terminated in August 2023 after concerns that the private partner would control too much of the operation and receive disproportionate revenue from royalties .
The construction phase has already generated thousands of jobs and prompted significant resettlement efforts. Local communities near Donsin have received land titles and relocation assistance to ensure ownership rights are protected . The now unified Burkina Faso Airports Company, established under leader Ibrahim Traore, will oversee all airport infrastructure and operations, replacing previous fragmented agencies.
Once operational, Donsin Airport aims to serve one million passengers annually in its initial phase, with provisions for cargo expansion, modern control facilities, and commercial zones. Experts predict it will strengthen regional connectivity, foster trade, and boost tourism – complementing expected resurgence of Air Burkina.
Despite the tragic collapse of a building in December 2022 that claimed seven lives, construction has advanced steadily under renewed emphasis on safety and governance. The project’s momentum continues as Burkina Faso positions itself as a rising aviation hub in West Africa – one that looks beyond its colonial heritage toward a modern, sovereign, and sustainable future.
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