A business contest is unfolding in Burkina Faso as two prominent entrepreneurs move to take control of fuel distribution assets previously owned by TotalEnergies.

The competition involves banking executive Idrissa Nassa and construction magnate Mahamadou Bonkoungou. Both men have built strong business empires across West Africa and are now eyeing a strategic foothold in the country’s energy sector.

At the centre of the contest is a network of nearly 170 filling stations, alongside storage and logistics infrastructure critical to the supply of fuel nationwide. These assets play a key role in supporting transportation, mining activities, and power generation.

Idrissa Nassa initially appeared to have secured the deal through his investment firm, Coris Invest Group, which acquired TotalEnergies Marketing Burkina in 2025. The business has since been rebranded as Barka Energies and relaunched in Ouagadougou.

However, interest from Mahamadou Bonkoungou suggests that the ownership structure may not be fully settled. His company, EBOMAF, has expanded beyond construction into sectors including aviation, banking, and healthcare, positioning him as a strong contender in the energy space.