Burkina Faso: Nearly 300 Nanga Armored Vehicles Produced, Traoré Refuses to Disclose Factory

These vehicles are intended for the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP). The head of state spoke on Monday, September 21, at Koulouba in front of the winners of the HAKILI Mousso women’s scientific competition.

The Burkinabé presidency confirmed this meeting and specified that it focused on the importance of science in development. According to Traoré’s remarks reported by Burkinabé media, the Nanga program began in 2023 and went through several prototypes before arriving at the model currently deployed.

The Nanga vehicles had been publicly presented a few days earlier. On September 13, the Government Information Service highlighted “Burkina Faso-made armored vehicles.” The vehicles are described as pickups with their bodies replaced by locally designed and manufactured armor, adapted to meet the challenges of the Burkinabé terrain.

Ibrahim Traoré linked this decision to the desire to reduce the country’s dependence on foreign suppliers. During the initial presentation, he stated that he no longer wished to place new orders for armored vehicles from abroad and preferred local production. On Monday, he asserted that Faso Armored is a Burkinabé company established for this program.

The president also claimed that four to five other companies are quietly working in the military sector. He did not elaborate on their activities. Regarding Faso Armored, he ruled out a public inauguration and stated that those who requested to see the company would not be allowed to do so, presenting this discretion as a security requirement.

This direction is part of a broader strategy for local production of equipment intended for security forces. On September 9, Burkina Faso inaugurated the TEXFORCES-BF complex in Bobo-Dioulasso, with an announced capital of 17 billion FCFA, tasked with producing uniforms for the defense and security forces.