Burkina Faso welcomes more than 700 Afro-descendants from around the world for a two-week cultural and historical mission organized by the African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI).
The visit, running from Oct. 26 to Nov. 8, is part of a growing movement among African descendants to reconnect with the continent by exploring their roots, building partnerships and supporting development efforts.
Former South African President Jacob Zuma was warmly received in Ouagadougou on Sunday by Foreign Minister Karamoko Jean Marie Traoré.
Zuma praised Burkina Faso’s leadership and voiced support for the country’s efforts to strengthen ties with the African diaspora.
“They have taken exceptional steps for this nation, and I am here to support that effort,” Zuma said.
Zuma is scheduled to lead a public conference on Nov. 1 focused on the history of Africa’s liberation movements.
The event highlights a central goal of the visit, which is to educate and engage Afro-descendants around Africa’s past and future.
On Tuesday evening, a traditional food tasting welcomed the delegation to the “Land of Upright People.”
Local dishes were served as symbols of cultural identity and shared heritage. Ambassador Yirigouin Hermann Toe described the event as a moment of reconciliation toward regained dignity and a step toward shared sovereignty.
“By tasting our food, you experience our culture, our hospitality and the true essence of African brotherhood,” Toe told attendees.
Dr. Arikana Chihombori, president of ADDI, emphasized that the initiative supports the broader mission to bring African intellectuals and entrepreneurs back to the continent.
“We came to show our support and reaffirm our commitment to working towards the realization of this shared vision for Africa,” she said.
The visits include conferences, site tours and cultural ceremonies aimed at deepening engagement between the African diaspora and host communities.
Growing interest in Africa among descendants worldwide reflects a renewed sense of belonging and purpose as well as a modern return to ancestral roots.
OUAGADOUGOU, Burkina Faso – Bantu Gazette
