Signing of a Framework Cooperation Agreement between COGEF and CNRST

On May 29, 2026, Mr. Idrissa NASSA, President of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Faso (COGEF), and Mr. Emmanuel NANEMA, General Delegate of the National Center for Scientific and Technological Research (CNRST), signed a framework cooperation agreement aimed at strengthening synergies between the scientific research community and Burkina Faso’s private sector.

Through this strategic partnership, the two institutions aim to promote the transformation of scientific results into concrete, innovative solutions for economic stakeholders, while also contributing to the strengthening of the competitiveness of national companies and to the advancement of Burkina Faso’s technological development.

On this occasion, Mr. Idrissa NASSA was accompanied by several members of the National Bureau, representatives of the regional COGEFs, as well as members of the various committees and technical services of the organization. A large delegation from the CNRST, led by its Director-General, also took part in the meeting, reflecting the importance both institutions place on this framework of cooperation.

The signed agreement aims, in particular, to:

• strengthen collaboration between the scientific research community and the private sector;
• promote the use of scientific research findings by national companies;
• facilitate the transfer of technologies, innovations, patents, and know-how from research centers for the benefit of companies;
• encourage applied research that addresses the real needs of the private sector.

In his opening remarks, the President of the Burkinabè employers’ association recalled that the private sector, a key driver of economic growth and job creation, needs dynamic scientific research focused on the concrete needs of businesses, production, and local processing.

He also stressed that scientific research would benefit from being more widely promoted through practical applications capable of improving business competitiveness, agricultural productivity, industrial innovation, and the country’s technological development.

“We are convinced that science, innovation, and entrepreneurship are now essential levers for addressing development challenges and building a resilient and prosperous Burkina Faso,” he said, before expressing the hope that this framework agreement would become “a living, dynamic partnership that delivers concrete actions for the benefit of businesses, researchers, young people, and the entire Burkinabè population.”

Taking the floor in turn, Mr. Emmanuel NANEMA, Secretary-General of the CNRST, welcomed the completion of this process, which began in November 2025. He expressed the research community’s satisfaction at the interest shown by business leaders in national scientific results.

He expressed the hope that this signing would mark the beginning of a fruitful collaboration that would allow research findings to contribute more fully to the socio-economic development of the population. Finally, he invited COGEF members to visit research institutes in order to better discover their areas of expertise, innovations, and fields of interest.

The ceremony ended on a note of general satisfaction, with a shared commitment to regularly organize meetings, discussion forums, and joint initiatives in order to ensure the effective implementation of this cooperation agreement and to strengthen lasting ties between scientific research and the Burkinabè private sector. The ceremony ended on a note of general satisfaction, marked by a shared commitment to regularly organize meetings, discussion forums, and joint initiatives in order to ensure the effective implementation of this cooperation agreement and to strengthen lasting ties between scientific research and the Burkinabè private sector. The two parties also agreed to initiate presentations of research results for members of the Burkinabè employers’ association, as well as immersive visits by COGEF to the CNRST’s institutes and research centers, with the aim of better showcasing the innovations, expertise, and collaboration opportunities offered by national scientific research.