Burkina Faso: Economic and Political Overview

In this page: Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline

Economic Indicators

Burkina Faso is a low-income Sahel country with scarce natural resources, relying on agriculture and gold mining. In recent years, it witnessed robust economic growth driven by gold and cotton production. However, the trajectory was disrupted by the coronavirus crisis followed by political and security challenges (including the 2022 coup, which led to a significant decline in international development funding and private sector investment) that had adverse effects. On January 28, 2024, Burkina Faso, Mali, and Niger announced their withdrawal from ECOWAS, effective in January 2025. They remain in WAEMU and, on July 6, 2024, signed the Treaty forming the Confederation of Sahel States. These developments have increased political uncertainty. Meanwhile, Burkina Faso's transitional government under President Traoré was extended for five years from July 2, 2024. After growing 3% in 2023, GDP expanded an estimated 3.7% in 2024 thanks to a higher-than-average cereal crop and a recovery in the industrial sector. If security remains unchanged and ECOWAS withdrawal is orderly, limiting trade impacts outside WAEMU, growth could stabilise at around 4.0% in 2025-26 (World Bank).

Fiscal performance remains solid, driven by strong revenue collection, with the deficit expected to improve from 6.5% of GDP in 2023 to 5% in 2024. Meanwhile, the financial sector weakened due to lower capital adequacy and rising non-performing loans. The fiscal deficit was mainly funded through domestic borrowing from the regional market, where rising interest rates pushed public debt from 55.9% in 2023 to 57.4% in 2024. Despite fiscal consolidation efforts, the WAEMU 3% GDP deficit ceiling is unlikely to be met in the next 2-3 years, with public debt expected to rise until 2026 (World Bank). After dropping to 0.7% in 2023, inflation surged to an estimated 3.4% in 2024, driven by food price spikes due to security issues, supply constraints, and irregular rainfall. Regional inflation is expected to align with the WAEMU target by 2025. Burkina Faso's economy is hindered by its faulty infrastructure, including electrical infrastructure, and vulnerability to the volatility of oil import prices as well as gold and cotton prices. In the medium term, the country will have to modernize its public affairs management, readjust public finances, reform the financial system, and improve the business climate. Burkina Faso is considered to have a high risk of over-indebtedness, as it is extremely dependent on foreign aid.

According to the World Bank, after rising in 2021-22 due to food price inflation, extreme poverty remains above 26%. Urban poverty slightly declined in 2024, driven by industry and services growth. The humanitarian situation remains critical, with over 2 million displaced and 2.7 million (11.9% of the population) facing severe food insecurity from June to August 2024. The latest estimates from the World Bank point to a 4.2% unemployment rate; however, the informal sector accounts for a large part of GDP in Burkina Faso, with around 70% of total non-agricultural employment.

Main Indicators	2023 (E)	2024 (E)	2025 (E)	2026 (E)	2027 (E)
GDP (billions USD)	20.28	21.86	23.56	25.36	27.15
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change)	3.1	5.5	5.8	5.0	4.9
GDP per Capita (USD)	867	908	952	997	1,038
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP)	55.9	57.4	56.0	54.8	52.8
Inflation Rate (%)	0.7	2.1	2.0	2.0	2.0
Current Account (billions USD)	-1.63	-0.84	-0.28	-0.02	0.02
Current Account (in % of GDP)	-8.0	-3.8	-1.2	-0.1	0.1

Source: IMF – World Economic Outlook Database , Latest available data

Note: (e) Estimated Data

Main Sectors of Industry

The economy of Burkina Faso is primarily based on agriculture, as the sector contributes approximately 16.3% to Burkina Faso’s GDP and engages nearly one-quarter of the workforce (World Bank, latest data available, although the vast majority of the population is engaged in subsistence farming). Approximately 26% of the population practices subsistence farming, with cotton being the primary cash crop, accounting for a substantial portion of export earnings. Other cash crops include groundnuts, shea nuts, and sesame, while staple crops encompass pearl millet, sorghum, maize, and rice. According to FAO, in 2024, cereal production was estimated at 5.2 million tonnes, 3% above the five-year average. Effective government support, including timely seed and fertiliser distribution and free ploughing services, boosted yields nationwide, particularly in western and southern regions. Rapid lowland development also enabled rice farming. In conflict-affected areas, land access improved slightly from last year, but ongoing insecurity, especially in Sahel, Est, Nord, and Centre-Nord, continued to limit productivity, causing localised shortfalls.

Burkina Faso's industrial sector is relatively small and nascent, contributing 29.3% of GDP and 22.6% of employment. Key subsectors comprise agro-processing, textiles, and mining. Agro-processing involves the conversion of agricultural products like cotton, shea nuts, and cereals into value-added goods such as textiles, edible oils, and processed foods, facing constraints like inadequate infrastructure and limited financing access. Textiles, historically vital to Burkina Faso's industry, have experienced a decline due to competition from cheaper imports and insufficient modernization investment. The manufacturing sector accounts for 11% of GDP (World Bank). Furthermore, the mining sector, particularly gold mining, has witnessed substantial growth, attracting foreign investment and significantly contributing to export earnings and government revenue (gold comprises almost three-quarters of exports, as the country also stands as Africa's 3rd largest producer of gold).

The services sector constitutes 43.6% of GDP and employs 46% of the total workforce. The finance sector is gradually expanding, with banks and microfinance institutions broadening access to financial services, although challenges such as limited credit access and financial inclusion persist, especially in rural areas. Burkina Faso's financial system comprises 13 commercial banks, 3 banking-like institutions, 16 insurance and reinsurance companies, and 153 licensed microfinance entities. Banks dominate the sector, with the four largest holding nearly 65% of total assets under BCEAO control. While still emerging, tourism presents significant growth potential.

Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment)	31.4	22.6	46.0
Value Added (in % of GDP)	16.3	29.3	43.6
Value Added (Annual % Change)	1.1	5.3	4.6

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

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Monetary Indicators	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020
CFA Franc BCEAO (XOF) - Average Annual Exchange Rate For 1 MUR	16.68	16.88	16.38	16.50	14.63

Source: World Bank - Latest available data.

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Indicator of Economic Freedom

Definition

Definition:

The Economic freedom index measure ten components of economic freedom, grouped into four broad categories or pillars of economic freedom: Rule of Law (property rights, freedom from corruption); Limited Government (fiscal freedom, government spending); Regulatory Efficiency (business freedom, labour freedom, monetary freedom); and Open Markets (trade freedom, investment freedom, financial freedom). Each of the freedoms within these four broad categories is individually scored on a scale of 0 to 100. A country’s overall economic freedom score is a simple average of its scores on the 10 individual freedoms.

Score:: 56,5/100
World Rank:: 124
Regional Rank:: 21

Economic freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Index of Economic Freedom, Heritage Foundation

Country Risk

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Foreign Trade in Figures

Burkina Faso is open to foreign trade, which represents 65% of the country’s GDP (World Bank, latest available data). As part of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU), Burkina Faso has regulated its tariff structure. Goods produced in the Union are exempt from import tax. However, internal and external crises (in neighbouring Mali), as well as the actions of radical groups in the Sahel, have had a negative impact on trade and the industrial outlook. Gold is the main export (78.8% of total exports in 2023). Burkina Faso is one of the largest exporters of cotton in West Africa, and its production of cotton has quadrupled in the past ten years. However, the commodity has seen its share in exports decrease from 15.8% of total exports in 2016 to 5.6% in 2023 (Comtrade). The country’s main imports are petroleum oils (34.2%), cement (3.5%), electrical energy (3.3%), medicaments (3.1%), and rice (2%).

Burkina Faso's main export partners are Switzerland (67.6%), United Arab Emirates (8.5%), Mali (6.0%), Ivory Coast (3.0%), India (1.9%), Ghana (1.8%), and Singapore (1.8%); whereas imports come chiefly from Ivory Coast (13.9%), China (13.7%), France (7.4%), Ghana (6.4%), and India (5.7% - data Comtrade for 2023)

Burkina Faso’s trade balance is structurally negative, but the trade deficit has been decreasing gradually over the past years due to increased gold and cotton exports and lower imports. The trade balance recorded a deficit estimated at 7.1% of GDP in 2023, from 1.4% one year earlier (World Bank). In the same year, the country exported USD 4.3 billion worth of goods, against USD 5.8 billion in imports (-4.6% and +6.5% year-on-year, respectively - WTO). According to figures from the National Statistics Institute, in the first three quarters of 2024, exports totalled XOF 2,510 billion, up by 25.5% year-on-year; while imports reached XOF 2,832 billion (+8.8%).

Foreign Trade Indicators	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023
Imports of Goods (million USD)	4,284	4,126	4,614	5,504	5,863
Exports of Goods (million USD)	3,239	4,372	5,043	4,518	4,309
Imports of Services (million USD)	1,461	1,262	1,416	1,582	n/a
Exports of Services (million USD)	540	509	556	495	n/a
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	3.4	1.5	7.5	6.1	12.8
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	0.1	11.9	13.4	-8.4	-2.2
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	31.2	29.0	29.6	33.1	36.0
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	29.3	31.8	32.8	31.7	28.9
Trade Balance (million USD)	366	1,330	1,259	-6	n/a
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD)	-555	577	399	-947	n/a
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP)	60.4	60.7	62.4	64.8	64.8

Source: WTO – World Trade Organisation ; World Bank , Latest Available Data

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers (% of Exports)	2023
Switzerland	67.6%
United Arab Emirates	8.5%
Mali	6.0%
Ivory Coast	3.0%
India	1.9%
Ghana	1.8%
Singapore	1.8%
Togo	1.5%
Denmark	0.8%
France	0.8%
United States	0.7%
Senegal	0.6%
Mauritius	0.6%
Netherlands	0.5%
Niger	0.5%
Guinea	0.4%
Belgium	0.4%
Italy	0.3%
China	0.3%
Germany	0.3%
See More Countries	13.0%

Main Suppliers (% of Imports)	2023
Ivory Coast	13.9%
China	13.7%
Russia	8.9%
France	7.4%
Ghana	6.4%
India	5.7%
United States	4.2%
Togo	3.5%
Belgium	3.5%
Netherlands	2.9%
Germany	2.4%
Japan	1.9%
Türkiye	1.7%
Egypt	1.5%
Italy	1.5%
Morocco	1.3%
South Africa	1.1%
South Korea	1.1%
Niger	1.1%
Norway	1.0%
See More Countries	49.7%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

Main Products

4.5 bn USD of products exported in 2023
Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought...Gold, incl. gold plated with platinum, unwrought or not further worked than semi-manufactured or in powder form	78.8%
Cotton, neither carded nor combedCotton, neither carded nor combed	5.6%
Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or...Other oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, whether or not broken (excl. edible nuts, olives, soya beans, groundnuts, copra, linseed, rape or colza seeds and sunflower seeds)	3.0%
Coconuts, brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or...Coconuts, brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled	2.7%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured	2.4%
Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes...Dates, figs, pineapples, avocados, guavas, mangoes and mangosteens, fresh or dried	0.6%
Fixed vegetable fats and oils, incl. jojoba oil,...Fixed vegetable fats and oils, incl. jojoba oil, and their fractions, whether or not refined, but not chemically modified (excl. soya-bean, groundnut, olive, palm, sunflower-seed, safflower, cotton-seed, coconut, palm kernel, babassu, rape, colza and mustard oil)	0.6%
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals	0.6%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and roadrollers	0.6%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	0.5%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machinery of heading 8425 to 8430, n.e.s.	0.3%
Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not...Oilcake and other solid residues, whether or not ground or in the form of pellets, resulting from the extraction of vegetable fats or oils (excl. from soya-bean oil and groundnut oil)	0.3%
Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not...Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but incl. those twisted after rolling (excl. in irregularly wound coils)	0.3%
Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of...Cigars, cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes of tobacco or of tobacco substitutes	0.2%
Soya beans, whether or not brokenSoya beans, whether or not broken	0.2%
Moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating,...Moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or boring machinery, for earth, minerals or ores; pile-drivers and pile-extractors; snowploughs and snowblowers (excl. those mounted on railway wagons, motor vehicle chassis or lorries, self-propelled machinery of heading 8429, lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery of heading 8425 to 8428 and hand-operated tools)	0.2%
Waters, incl. mineral waters and aerated waters,...Waters, incl. mineral waters and aerated waters, containing added sugar or other sweetening matter or flavoured, and other non-alcoholic beverages (excl. fruit or vegetable juices and milk)	0.1%
Powered aircraft "e.g. helicopters and aeroplanes...Powered aircraft "e.g. helicopters and aeroplanes"; spacecraft, incl. satellites, and suborbital and spacecraft launch vehicles	0.1%
Silver, incl. silver plated with gold or platinum,...Silver, incl. silver plated with gold or platinum, unwrought or in semi-manufactured forms, or in powder form	0.1%
See More Products	7.6%

5.9 bn USD of products imported in 2023
Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous...Petroleum oils and oils obtained from bituminous minerals (excl. crude); preparations containing >= 70% by weight of petroleum oils or of oils obtained from bituminous minerals, these oils being the basic constituents of the preparations, n.e.s.; waste oils containing mainly petroleum or bituminous minerals	34.2%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured	3.5%
Electrical energyElectrical energy	3.3%
Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed...Medicaments consisting of mixed or unmixed products for therapeutic or prophylactic uses, put up in measured doses "incl. those in the form of transdermal administration" or in forms or packings for retail sale (excl. goods of heading 3002, 3005 or 3006)	3.1%
RiceRice	2.0%
Wheat and meslinWheat and meslin	1.8%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons	1.7%
Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally...Motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, incl. station wagons and racing cars (excl. motor vehicles of heading 8702)	1.5%
Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or...Mineral or chemical fertilisers containing two or three of the fertilising elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium; other fertilisers (excl. pure animal or vegetable fertilisers or mineral or chemical nitrogenous, phosphatic or potassic fertilisers); animal, vegetable, mineral or chemical fertilisers in tablets or similar forms or in packages of a gross weight of <= 10 kg	1.5%
Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in...Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form	1.1%
Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides...Insecticides, rodenticides, fungicides, herbicides, anti-sprouting products and plant-growth regulators, disinfectants and similar products, put up for retail sale or as preparations or articles, e.g. sulphur-treated bands, wicks and candles, and fly-papers	1.0%
Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast...Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast articles)	1.0%
Cyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanidesCyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanides	1.0%
Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with...Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor, with or without side-cars; side-cars	1.0%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	1.0%
Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic...Human blood; animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses; antisera and other blood fractions and immunological products, whether or not modified or obtained by means of biotechnological processes; vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms (excl. yeasts) and similar products	1.0%
Manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco...Manufactured tobacco and manufactured tobacco substitutes and "homogenised" or "reconstituted" tobacco, tobacco extracts and tobacco essences (excl. cigars, incl. cheroots, cigarillos and cigarettes)	0.9%
Portable electric lamps designed to function by...Portable electric lamps designed to function by their own source of energy, e.g. dry batteries, accumulators and magnetos; parts thereof (excl. lighting equipment of heading 8512)	0.9%
Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor...Diodes, transistors and similar semiconductor devices; photosensitive semiconductor devices, incl. photovoltaic cells whether or not assembled in modules or made up into panels (excl. photovotaic generators); light emitting diodes; mounted piezoelectric crystals; parts thereof	0.8%
Structures and parts of structures "e.g., bridges...Structures and parts of structures "e.g., bridges and bridge-sections, lock-gates, towers, lattice masts, roofs, roofing frameworks, doors and windows and their frames and thresholds for doors, shutters, balustrades, pillars and columns", of iron or steel; plates, rods, angles, shapes, sections, tubes and the like, prepared for use in structures, of iron or steel (excl. prefabricated buildings of heading 9406)	0.8%
Bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel,...Bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils	0.8%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and roadrollers	0.7%
Frozen fish (excl. fish fillets and other fish...Frozen fish (excl. fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304)	0.7%
Machinery for sorting, screening, separating,...Machinery for sorting, screening, separating, washing, crushing, grinding, mixing or kneading earth, stone, ores or other mineral substances, in solid, incl. powder or paste, form; machinery for agglomerating, shaping or moulding solid mineral fuels, ceramic paste, unhardened cements, plastering materials or other mineral products in powder or paste form; machines for forming foundry moulds of sand; parts thereof	0.7%
Telephone sets, incl. telephones for cellular...Telephone sets, incl. telephones for cellular networks or for other wireless networks; other apparatus for the transmission or reception of voice, images or other data, incl. apparatus for communication in a wired or wireless network [such as a local or wide area network]; parts thereof (excl. than transmission or reception apparatus of heading 8443, 8525, 8527 or 8528)	0.7%
Machines and mechanical appliances having...Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof	0.7%
Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined...Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	0.6%
New pneumatic tyres, of rubberNew pneumatic tyres, of rubber	0.6%
Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)	0.6%
Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel,...Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width >= 600 mm, hot-rolled or cold-rolled "cold-reduced", clad, plated or coated	0.6%
Malt, whether or not roastedMalt, whether or not roasted	0.6%
Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall...Unglazed ceramic flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles; unglazed ceramic mosaic cubes and the like, whether or not on a backing (excl. of siliceous fossil meals or similar siliceous earths, refractory ceramic goods, tiles specially adapted as table mats, ornamental articles and tiles specifically manufactured for stoves)	0.6%
Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire,...Insulated "incl. enamelled or anodised" wire, cable "incl. coaxial cable" and other insulated electric conductors, whether or not fitted with connectors; optical fibre cables, made up of individually sheathed fibres, whether or not assembled with electric conductors or fitted with connectors	0.5%
Pumps for liquids, whether or not fitted with a...Pumps for liquids, whether or not fitted with a measuring device (excl. ceramic pumps and secretion aspirating pumps for medical use and medical pumps carried on or implanted in the body); liquid elevators (excl. pumps); parts thereof	0.5%
Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g....Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g. rectifiers, and inductors; parts thereof	0.5%
Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added...Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter	0.4%
Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing...Cartons, boxes, cases, bags and other packing containers, of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or webs of cellulose fibres, n.e.s.; box files, letter trays, and similar articles, of paperboard of a kind used in offices, shops or the like	0.4%
Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods,...Articles for the conveyance or packaging of goods, of plastics; stoppers, lids, caps and other closures, of plastics	0.4%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with the machinery of heading 8425 to 8430, n.e.s.	0.4%
Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel,...Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width of >= 600 mm, cold-rolled "cold-reduced", not clad, plated or coated	0.4%
Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilisers (excl....Mineral or chemical nitrogenous fertilisers (excl. those in pellet or similar forms, or in packages with a gross weight of <= 10 kg)	0.4%
Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other...Petroleum coke, petroleum bitumen and other residues of petroleum oil or of oil obtained from bituminous minerals, n.e.s.	0.4%
Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl....Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl. pure calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide)	0.4%
Extracts, essences and concentrates, of coffee,...Extracts, essences and concentrates, of coffee, tea or maté and preparations with a basis of these products or with a basis of coffee, tea or mate; roasted chicory and other roasted coffee substitutes, and extracts, essences and concentrates thereof	0.4%
Transmission shafts, incl. camshafts and...Transmission shafts, incl. camshafts and crankshafts, and cranks; bearing housings and plain shaft bearings for machines; gears and gearing; ball or roller screws, gear boxes and other speed changers, incl. torque converters; flywheels and pulleys, incl. pulley blocks, clutches and shaft couplings, incl. universal joints; parts thereof	0.4%
Electric accumulators, incl. separators therefor,...Electric accumulators, incl. separators therefor, whether or not square or rectangular; parts thereof (excl. spent and those of unhardened rubber or textiles)	0.4%
Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing,...Diagnostic or laboratory reagents on a backing, prepared diagnostic or laboratory reagents whether or not on a backing, and certified reference materials (excl. compound diagnostic reagents designed to be administered to the patient, blood-grouping reagents, animal blood prepared for therapeutic, prophylactic or diagnostic uses and vaccines, toxins, cultures of micro-organisms and similar products)	0.4%
Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage...Discs, tapes, solid-state non-volatile storage devices, "smart cards" and other media for the recording of sound or of other phenomena, whether or not recorded, incl. matrices and masters for the production of discs (excl. products of chapter 37)	0.4%
Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles...Parts and accessories for tractors, motor vehicles for the transport of ten or more persons, motor cars and other motor vehicles principally designed for the transport of persons, motor vehicles for the transport of goods and special purpose motor vehicles of heading 8701 to 8705, n.e.s.	0.4%
Centrifuges, incl. centrifugal dryers (excl. those...Centrifuges, incl. centrifugal dryers (excl. those for isotope separation); filtering or purifying machinery and apparatus, for liquids or gases; parts thereof (excl. artificial kidneys)	0.3%
Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g...Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g. joints, elbows, flanges, of plastics	0.3%
Automatic data-processing machines and units...Automatic data-processing machines and units thereof; magnetic or optical readers, machines for transcribing data onto data media in coded form and machines for processing such data, n.e.s.	0.3%
Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not...Trailers and semi-trailers; other vehicles, not mechanically propelled (excl. railway and tramway vehicles); parts thereof, n.e.s.	0.3%
Air or vacuum pumps (excl. gas compound elevators...Air or vacuum pumps (excl. gas compound elevators and pneumatic elevators and conveyors); air or other gas compressors and fans; ventilating or recycling hoods incorporating a fan, whether or not fitted with filters; parts thereof	0.3%
Instruments and appliances used in medical,...Instruments and appliances used in medical, surgical, dental or veterinary sciences, incl. scintigraphic apparatus, other electro-medical apparatus and sight-testing instruments, n.e.s.	0.3%
Stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like,...Stranded wire, cables, plaited bands and the like, of aluminium (excl. such products electrically insulated)	0.3%
Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and...Boards, panels, consoles, desks, cabinets and other bases, equipped with two or more apparatus of heading 8535 or 8536, for electric control or the distribution of electricity, incl. those incorporating instruments or apparatus of chapter 90, and numerical control apparatus (excl. switching apparatus for line telephony or line telegraphy)	0.3%
Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats,...Malt extract; food preparations of flour, groats, meal, starch or malt extract, not containing cocoa or containing < 40% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.s.; food preparations of milk, cream, butter milk, sour milk, sour cream, whey, yogurt, kephir, and similar goods of heading 0401 to 0404, not containing cocoa or containing < 5% by weight of cocoa calculated on a totally defatted basis, n.e.s.	0.3%
Soups and broths and preparations therefor; food...Soups and broths and preparations therefor; food preparations consisting of finely homogenised mixtures of two or more basic ingredients such as meat, fish, vegetables or fruit, put up for retail sale as infant food or for dietetic purposes, in containers of <= 250 g	0.3%
Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat...Pasta, whether or not cooked or stuffed with meat or other substances or otherwise prepared, such as spaghetti, macaroni, noodles, lasagne, gnocchi, ravioli, cannelloni; couscous, whether or not prepared	0.3%
Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials,...Carboys, bottles, flasks, jars, pots, phials, ampoules and other containers, of glass, of a kind used for the conveyance or packing of goods, preserving jars, stoppers, lids and other closures, of glass (excl. glass envelopes and containers, with vacuum insulation, perfume atomizers, flasks, bottles etc. for atomizers)	0.3%
Compression-ignition internal combustion piston...Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine "diesel or semi-diesel engine"	0.3%
Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters consisting of calcined...Gypsum; anhydrite; plasters consisting of calcined gypsum or calcium sulphate, whether or not coloured, with or without small quantities of accelerators or retarders	0.2%
Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel,...Flat-rolled products of iron or non-alloy steel, of a width >= 600 mm, hot-rolled, not clad, plated or coated	0.2%
Food preparations, n.e.s.Food preparations, n.e.s.	0.2%
Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for...Taps, cocks, valves and similar appliances for pipes, boiler shells, tanks, vats or the like, incl. pressure-reducing valves and thermostatically controlled valves; parts thereof	0.2%
Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks,...Screws, bolts, nuts, coach screws, screw hooks, rivets, cotters, cotter pins, washers, incl. spring washers, and similar articles, of iron or steel (excl. lag screws, stoppers, plugs and the like, threaded)	0.2%
Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or...Refrigerators, freezers and other refrigerating or freezing equipment, electric or other; heat pumps; parts thereof (excl. air conditioning machines of heading 8415)	0.2%
Organic surface-active agents (excl. soap);...Organic surface-active agents (excl. soap); surface-active preparations, washing preparations, incl. auxiliary washing preparations, and cleaning preparations, whether or not containing soap (excl. those of heading 3401)	0.2%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with internal combustion piston engine of heading 8407 or 8408	0.2%
Electric generating sets and rotary convertersElectric generating sets and rotary converters	0.2%
Moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating,...Moving, grading, levelling, scraping, excavating, tamping, compacting, extracting or boring machinery, for earth, minerals or ores; pile-drivers and pile-extractors; snowploughs and snowblowers (excl. those mounted on railway wagons, motor vehicle chassis or lorries, self-propelled machinery of heading 8429, lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery of heading 8425 to 8428 and hand-operated tools)	0.2%
Containers of iron or steel, for compressed or...Containers of iron or steel, for compressed or liquefied gas (excl. containers specifically constructed or equipped for one or more types of transport)	0.2%
Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of...Plates, sheets, film, foil and strip, of non-cellular plastics, not reinforced, laminated, supported or similarly combined with other materials, without backing, unworked or merely surface-worked or merely cut into squares or rectangles (excl. self-adhesive products, and floor, wall and ceiling coverings of heading 3918)	0.2%
Chain and parts thereof, or iron or steel (excl....Chain and parts thereof, or iron or steel (excl. watch chains, necklace chains and the like, cutting and saw chain, skid chain, scraper chain for conveyors, toothed chain for textile machinery and the like, safety devices with chains for securing doors, measuring chains)	0.2%
Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.s. (excl. seats...Furniture and parts thereof, n.e.s. (excl. seats and medical, surgical, dental or veterinary furniture)	0.2%
Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of...Sacks and bags, of a kind used for the packing of goods, of all types of textile materials	0.2%
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles "e.g., open seam...Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles "e.g., open seam or welded, riveted or similarly closed", of iron or steel (excl. of cast iron, seamless tubes and pipes and tubes having internal and external circular cross-sections and an external diameter of > 406,4 mm)	0.2%
Soap; organic surface-active products and...Soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for use as soap, in the form of bars, cakes, moulded pieces or shapes, whether or not containing soap; organic surface-active products and preparations for washing the skin, in the form of liquid or cream and put up for retail sale, whether or not containing soap; paper, wadding, felt and nonwovens, impregnated, coated or covered with soap or detergent	0.2%
Articles of plastics and articles of other...Articles of plastics and articles of other materials of heading 3901 to 3914, n.e.s.	0.2%
Lamps and lighting fittings, incl. searchlights...Lamps and lighting fittings, incl. searchlights and spotlights, and parts thereof, n.e.s; illuminated signs, illuminated nameplates and the like having a permanently fixed light source, and parts thereof, n.e.s.	0.2%
Tools, interchangeable, for hand tools, whether or...Tools, interchangeable, for hand tools, whether or not power-operated, or for machine tools "e.g. for pressing, stamping, punching, tapping, threading, drilling, boring, broaching, milling, turning or screw driving", incl. dies for drawing or extruding metal, and rock-drilling or earth-boring tools	0.2%
Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles...Tableware, kitchenware, other household articles and toilet articles, of plastics (excl. baths, shower-baths, washbasins, bidets, lavatory pans, seats and covers, flushing cisterns and similar sanitary ware)	0.1%
Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not...Bars and rods, of iron or non-alloy steel, not further worked than forged, hot-rolled, hot-drawn or hot-extruded, but incl. those twisted after rolling (excl. in irregularly wound coils)	0.1%
Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores;...Prepared binders for foundry moulds or cores; chemical products and preparations for the chemical or allied industries, incl. mixtures of natural products, n.e.s.	0.1%
Metallised wood and other densified wood in blocks...Metallised wood and other densified wood in blocks, plates, strips or profile shapes	0.1%
Seeds, fruits and spores, for sowing (excl....Seeds, fruits and spores, for sowing (excl. leguminous vegetables and sweetcorn, coffee, tea, maté and spices, cereals, oil seeds and oleaginous fruits, and seeds and fruit used primarily in perfumery, medicaments or for insecticidal, fungicidal or similar purposes)	0.1%
Articles of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber),...Articles of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber), n.e.s.	0.1%
Prefabricated buildings, whether or not complete...Prefabricated buildings, whether or not complete or already assembled	0.1%
Registers, account books, notebooks, order books,...Registers, account books, notebooks, order books, receipt books, letter pads, memorandum pads, diaries and similar articles, exercise books, blotting pads, binders, folders, file covers, manifold business forms, interleaved carbon sets and other articles of stationery, of paper or paperboard; albums for samples or for collections and book covers, of paper and paperboard	0.1%
Pharmaceutical preparations and products of...Pharmaceutical preparations and products of subheadings 3006.10.10 to 3006.60.90	0.1%
Sodium hydroxide "caustic soda", potassium...Sodium hydroxide "caustic soda", potassium hydroxide "caustic potash"; peroxides of sodium or potassium	0.1%
Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases,...Trunks, suitcases, vanity cases, executive-cases, briefcases, school satchels, spectacle cases, binocular cases, camera cases, musical instrument cases, gun cases, holsters and similar containers; travelling-bags, insulated food or beverage bags, toilet bags, rucksacks, handbags, shopping-bags, wallets, purses, map-cases, cigarette-cases, tobacco-pouches, tool bags, sports bags, bottle-cases, jewellery boxes, powder-boxes, cutlery cases and similar containers, of leather or of composition leather, of sheeting of plastics, of textile materials, of vulcanised fibre or of paperboard, or wholly or mainly covered with such materials or with paper	0.1%
Polymers of ethylene, in primary formsPolymers of ethylene, in primary forms	0.1%
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast ironTubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast iron	0.1%
Mechanical appliances, whether or not...Mechanical appliances, whether or not hand-operated, for projecting, dispersing or spraying liquids or powders, n.e.s.; fire extinguishers, charged or not (excl. fire-extinguishing bombs and grenades); spray guns and similar appliances (excl. electric machines and apparatus for hot spraying of metals or sintered metal carbides of heading 8515); steam or sand blasting machines and similar jet projecting machines; parts thereof, n.e.s.	0.1%
Parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles...Parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles and for carriages for disabled persons, n.e.s.	0.1%
Beer made from maltBeer made from malt	0.1%
Cloth, incl. endless bands, grill, netting and...Cloth, incl. endless bands, grill, netting and fencing, of iron or steel wire, expanded metal of iron or steel (excl. woven products of metal fibres of a kind used for cladding, lining or similar purposes)	0.1%
Tube or pipe fittings "e.g. couplings, elbows,...Tube or pipe fittings "e.g. couplings, elbows, sleeves", of iron or steel	0.1%
Worn clothing and clothing accessories, blankets...Worn clothing and clothing accessories, blankets and travelling rugs, household linen and articles for interior furnishing, of all types of textile materials, incl. all types of footwear and headgear, showing signs of appreciable wear and presented in bulk or in bales, sacks or similar packings (excl. carpets, other floor coverings and tapestries)	0.1%
Fork-lift trucks; other works trucks fitted with...Fork-lift trucks; other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment (excl. straddle carriers and works trucks fitted with a crane)	0.1%
See More Products	53.9%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

To go further, check out our service Import-Export Flows.

Main Services

0.6 bn USD of services exported in 2021
Construction servicesConstruction services	21.59%
Financial servicesFinancial services	17.17%
TransportationTransportation	15.68%
TravelTravel +	14.74%
Personal travelPersonal travel	8.92%
OtherOther	69.59%
Business travelBusiness travel	5.81%
Government servicesGovernment services	12.60%
Computer and information servicesComputer and information services	11.10%
Other business servicesOther business services	5.57%
Insurance servicesInsurance services	1.40%
Royalties and license feesRoyalties and license fees	0.15%
Cultural and recreational servicesCultural and recreational services	0.01%

1.3 bn USD of services imported in 2021
TransportationTransportation	45.48%
Other business servicesOther business services	11.22%
Insurance servicesInsurance services	10.99%
Financial servicesFinancial services	9.07%
Computer and information servicesComputer and information services	7.89%
TravelTravel +	5.98%
Personal travelPersonal travel	3.63%
OtherOther	48.54%
Business travelBusiness travel	2.35%
Construction servicesConstruction services	5.77%
Cultural and recreational servicesCultural and recreational services	2.00%
Government servicesGovernment services	1.56%
Royalties and license feesRoyalties and license fees	0.03%

Source: United Nations Statistics Division, Latest Available Data

Sources of General Economic Information

Ministries: Ministry of the Economy, Finance and Forward Planning
Ministry of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Protection
Statistical Office: National Institute of Statistics and Demography
Central Bank: Central Bank of West African States
Stock Exchange: Bourse Régionale des Valeurs Mobilières (BRVM)
Search Engines: Google Burkina Faso
YellowPages of Africa
Economic Portals: BBC News - Burkina Faso
Le Pays (in French)

Political Outline

Current Political Leaders: President (interim): Ibrahim TRAORE (since 30 September 2022)
Prime Minister: Joachim KYLEM DE TAMBELA (since 21 October 2022)
Next Election Dates: Next elections to be confirmed by the transition government.
Main Political Parties: Following the January 2022 coup, the military suspended political activities temporarily but later allowed some resumption. Before the coup, the main political parties in Burkina Faso were:

- Peoples Movement for Progress (MPP)
- African Democratic Rally/Alliance for Democracy and Federation (ADF/RDA)
- Union for Progress and Reform (UPC)
- Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP)
- Act Together (AT)
- Convergence for Progress and Solidarity-Generation 3 (CPS-G3)
- Movement for the Future Burkina Faso (MBF)
- National Convention for Progress (CNP)
- New Era for Democracy (NTD)
- Pan-African Alliance for Refoundation (APR)
- Party for Democracy and Socialism/Metba (PDS/Metba)
- Party for Development and Change (PDC)
- Patriotic Rally for Integrity (RPI)
- Progressives United for Renewal (PUR)
- Union for Rebirth - Sankarist Party (UNIR-PS).
Type of State: Presidential republic. As of 2025, Burkina Faso remains under military rule, and the transition back to a civilian-led presidential republic has been repeatedly delayed.
Executive Power: Before the 2022 coup and the ad hoc suspension of laws and constitutional provisions, the president was elected directly by an absolute majority popular vote in two rounds if necessary, serving a 5-year term and eligible for a second term. The last presidential election took place on 22 November 2020. The next scheduled election was to be held by July 2024, but it might be delayed by the transitional government due to security concerns. The prime minister was appointed by the president with the consent of the National Assembly.
Legislative Power: Before the coup and the temporary suspension of laws and constitutional provisions in 2022, the unicameral National Assembly comprised 127 seats. Among these, 111 members were directly elected across 13 multi-seat constituencies through a party-list proportional representation vote, while 26 members were elected nationwide through proportional representation voting. Members served 5-year terms. In 2022, a 71-member Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) was appointed indefinitely by the military junta, effectively replacing the National Assembly.

Indicator of Freedom of the Press

Definition

Definition:

The world rankings, published annually, measures violations of press freedom worldwide. It reflects the degree of freedom enjoyed by journalists, the media and digital citizens of each country and the means used by states to respect and uphold this freedom. Finally, a note and a position are assigned to each country. To compile this index, Reporters Without Borders (RWB) prepared a questionnaire incorporating the main criteria (44 in total) to assess the situation of press freedom in a given country. This questionnaire was sent to partner organisations,150 RWB correspondents, journalists, researchers, jurists and human rights activists. It includes every kind of direct attacks against journalists and digital citizens (murders, imprisonment, assault, threats, etc.) or against the media (censorship, confiscation, searches and harassment etc.).

World Rank:: 37/180

Indicator of Political Freedom

Definition

Definition:

The Indicator of Political Freedom provides an annual evaluation of the state of freedom in a country as experienced by individuals. The survey measures freedom according to two broad categories: political rights and civil liberties. The ratings process is based on a checklist of 10 political rights questions (on Electoral Process, Political Pluralism and Participation, Functioning of Government) and 15 civil liberties questions (on Freedom of Expression, Belief, Associational and Organizational Rights, Rule of Law, Personal Autonomy and Individual Rights). Scores are awarded to each of these questions on a scale of 0 to 4, where a score of 0 represents the smallest degree and 4 the greatest degree of rights or liberties present. The total score awarded to the political rights and civil liberties checklist determines the political rights and civil liberties rating. Each rating of 1 through 7, with 1 representing the highest and 7 the lowest level of freedom, corresponds to a range of total scores.

Ranking:: Partly Free
Political Freedom:: 4/7

Political freedom in the world (interactive map)
Source: Freedom in the World Report, Freedom House

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