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Burkinabe businessman Idrissa Nassa has inaugurated a $1.33 million modern amphitheater through his Coris Foundation, thus reaffirming his commitment to education and national development. The facility, named after Nassa, was financed with CFA750 million ($1.33 million) and designed as a functional two-story complex tailored to academic and institutional needs.
Coris Foundation invests in human capital
The new building, part of the National School of Magistrates (ENAM), offers a fully equipped 253-seat amphitheater, expandable to 300, alongside two meeting rooms, three offices, a library, a conference hall and a covered patio for social and educational interactions. By improving learning spaces and professional training facilities, the project thus reflects Coris Foundation’s belief that sustainable economic growth depends on investing in human capital.
“Quality education is the foundation for national productivity and social progress,” Nassa said during the inauguration. “This amphitheater will support the development of future leaders and contribute directly to the country’s capacity to compete globally.” The move is part of a plan to strengthen Burkina Faso’s economic competitiveness through training and education. By upgrading infrastructure and enhancing the skills of students and professionals, Nassa is supporting national development while creating an environment conducive to learning.
Nassa leads banking, mining, energy growth
Idrissa Nassa, founder of Coris Holding, transformed a modest $3 million startup into a financial group with over $9 billion in assets across ten countries, including Burkina Faso, Côte d’Ivoire, Senegal, Togo, Benin, Mali, Guinea and Chad, with offices in Niger and Guinea-Bissau.
Under Nassa Coris Bank has expanded steadily across West Africa. In 2021 it opened Coris Bank Guinea, followed by the acquisition of Standard Chartered’s retail operations in Côte d’Ivoire in 2023 and Société Générale’s units in Chad and Mauritania in 2024. In October 2025 Coris Holding secured $115.7 million in fresh investment from Mediterrania Capital Partners and European development finance institutions to expand banking access across Africa.
Beyond banking, Nassa has entered the mining and energy sectors. He recently acquired Total Energie, Burkina Faso’s largest fuel retailer, and financed major projects including a $100 million credit facility for the Kiaka Gold Project as part of a $265 million secured loan. Through Nioko Resources Corporation, he also invested $47 million in Orezone Gold to support the Bomboré gold mine, one of Burkina Faso’s largest mining projects.
