Burkina Faso: Economic and Political Overview

In this page: Economic Indicators | Foreign Trade in Figures | Sources of General Economic Information | Political Outline | COVID-19 Country Response

Economic Indicators

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In recent years, Burkina Faso experienced strong economic growth, driven by gold and cotton production. However, the coronavirus crisis and then political and security issues negatively impacted this dynamic. After recovering from the pandemic in 2021 (reaching 6.9%), GDP growth slowed down to 2.5% in 2022 due to political uncertainty and deteriorating security conditions (IMF revised estimates). A rebound is expected in 2023 (4.8%) and 2024 (5.2%) with the opening of new mines and efforts to improve security conditions (IMF).

In 2022, the economic recovery was interrupted by two military coups, justified by its perpetrators by the government's inability to contain the jihadist insurgency. In addition, rising food prices as a result of the war in Ukraine worsened the food crisis and weighed on the budget. Inflation increased from 3.9% in 2021 to 14.2% in 2022, and it is expected to fall to 1.5% in 2023 and 1% in 2024 due to declining global oil and food prices (IMF). High current transfers and investment in security-related equipment have contributed to the widening of the fiscal deficit from 7.5% GDP in 2021 to 10.3% GDP in 2022 (IMF). Overall fiscal deficit is expected to remain large in 2023 (around 8% GDP), due to elevated security spending and subsidies (IMF). The deficit will be financed by bilateral and multilateral loans, international grants and recourse to the regional bond market (Coface). Public debt increased from 52.4% GDP in 2021 to 59.6% GDP in 2022, and is expected to decrease marginally to 59.3% GDP in 2023 and 58.5% GDP in 2024 (IMF). The 2023 budget is mainly focused on strengthening security, through the deployment of 3,000 additional soldiers and the purchase of new military equipment (Coface) ; and addressing the substantial social needs related to the humanitarian crisis. In February 2023, IMF staff and the Burkinabé authorities have reached a staff-level agreement for about USD 80 million in emergency financing through the IMF’s Food Shock Window of the Rapid Credit Facility. This agreement will help support measures to provide urgent assistance to households in acute food insecurity conditions (IMF). Besides, the National plan for economic and social development is channelling public investments in road infrastructures and construction. Burkina Faso's economy is hampered by its faulty infrastructure, including electrical infrastructure. The country is also vulnerable 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, more than 40% of the population still lives below the poverty line of USD 1.25 a day. In recent years, the country has made considerable progress in the area of education. Nevertheless, insecurity and terrorism are taking a heavy toll in several regions of the country, negatively affecting the education sector. More than 1.5 million persons have been internally displaced, 2.6 million people are in acute food insecurity and by May 2022, more than 16% of educational institutions were closed because of the insecure environment (World Bank, IMF). In 2021, the unemployment rate in the country was at 5.2% (ILO estimate).

Main Indicators	2020	2021	2022 (E)	2023 (E)	2024 (E)
GDP (billions USD)	17.96	19.75	19.57	21.08	22.65
GDP (Constant Prices, Annual % Change)	1.9	6.9	2.5	4.9	5.9
GDP per Capita (USD)	834	892	860	900	941
General Government Gross Debt (in % of GDP)	44.9	48.2	54.3	58.0	60.2
Inflation Rate (%)	1.9	3.9	14.1	1.5	2.3
Current Account (billions USD)	0.74	-0.08	-1.01	-0.76	-0.62
Current Account (in % of GDP)	4.1	-0.4	-5.2	-3.6	-2.7

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

Note: (e) Estimated Data

Main Sectors of Industry

The economy of Burkina Faso is mainly based on agriculture, but the country is Africa's 5th largest producer of gold. The agricultural sector accounted for an estimated 17.5% of Burkina Faso’s GDP in 2021. About 26% of the population is engaged in subsistence farming and cotton is the main cash crop (World Bank). Other cash crops are groundnuts, shea nuts and sesame. Staple crops are pearl millet, sorghum, maize, and rice.

The industrial sector is dominated by State-owned corporations, and contributed to 32% of GDP in 2021. It employs 25% of the total workforce of the country (World Bank). Gold accounts for 77% of the country’s total exports (Comtrade), thus making Burkina Faso really sensitive to the fluctuations in the price of this commodity.

The services sector accounted 42.1% of the GDP in 2021, and employed 49% of the total workforce - almost 30% of these jobs were generated in the financial system. The banking sector – which is very dense, with the three largest banks holding almost 60% of total financial sector assets, is one of the economy’s pillars.

Breakdown of Economic Activity By Sector	Agriculture	Industry	Services
Employment By Sector (in % of Total Employment)	26.2	25.2	48.6
Value Added (in % of GDP)	17.5	32.0	42.1
Value Added (Annual % Change)	-5.8	8.7	10.6

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

See the country risk analysis provided by Coface.

Foreign Trade in Figures

Burkina Faso is open to foreign trade which represents 59% 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. While customs duties (apart from oil) have been reduced from 200% to 43.8% (WTO), they continue to account for around 13% of total tax revenue (World Bank). However, internal and external crisis (in neighboring Mali), as well as the actions of radical groups in the Sahel, have had a negative impact on trade and the industrial outlook. The future railway linking Burkina Faso and Ghana is expected to strengthen trade between the two countries.

Gold is the greatest export (77.4% of its total exports). 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 the exports decrease from 15.8% of total exports in 2016 to 9% in 2021 (Comtrade). The country’s main imports are petroleum oils (22.8%), vehicles (4.4%), drugs (4.2%), cement (4%), electrical energy (3.1%), and petroleum gas (2.5%). Burkina Faso mainly exports to Switzerland (72.7%), India (9.6%), Singapore (3.8%), Ivory Coast (3.6%), and Mali (1.6%); while imports come chiefly from China (13.9%), Ivory Coast (8.5%), France (7.8%), the USA (6.9%) and Ghana (5.9%) (Comtrade).

Burkina Faso’s trade balance is structurally negative, but trade deficit has been decreasing gradually over the past years due to increased gold and cotton exports and lower imports. The balance of trade turned positive during the pandemic due to reduced imports. According to WTO data, in 2021 exports of goods rose to USD 5.04 billion, while imports of goods increased to USD 4.61 billion. Services exports generated USD 573 million while services imports cost the country USD 1.51 billion (WTO). In 2022, trade deficit amounted to FCFA 640.4 billion (INSD).

Foreign Trade Indicators	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021
Imports of Goods (million USD)	3,895	4,301	4,284	4,117	4,614
Exports of Goods (million USD)	2,875	3,254	3,239	4,372	5,043
Imports of Services (million USD)	1,354	1,497	1,455	1,572	1,508
Exports of Services (million USD)	456	507	491	413	573
Imports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	10.1	8.5	8.6	n/a	n/a
Exports of Goods and Services (Annual % Change)	8.5	15.2	-1.9	n/a	n/a
Imports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	32.8	32.5	31.0	n/a	n/a
Exports of Goods and Services (in % of GDP)	26.5	28.1	27.6	n/a	n/a
Trade Balance (million USD)	-5	290	366	1,330	n/a
Trade Balance (Including Service) (million USD)	-898	-656	-555	577	n/a
Foreign Trade (in % of GDP)	59.3	60.6	58.7	n/a	n/a

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

Main Partner Countries

Main Customers (% of Exports)	2021
Switzerland	72.7%
India	9.6%
Singapore	3.8%
Ivory Coast	3.6%
Mali	1.6%
United States	1.1%
Ghana	1.0%
France	0.8%
Togo	0.7%
Niger	0.7%
Mauritius	0.6%
Belgium	0.5%
China	0.4%
Denmark	0.4%
Netherlands	0.3%
United Arab Emirates	0.3%
Germany	0.3%
Senegal	0.2%
Liberia	0.2%
Guinea	0.1%
See More Countries	8.7%

Main Suppliers (% of Imports)	2021
China	13.9%
Ivory Coast	8.5%
France	7.8%
United States	6.9%
Ghana	5.9%
India	5.6%
Russia	5.0%
Netherlands	3.0%
Türkiye	2.9%
Germany	2.8%
Togo	2.8%
Japan	2.8%
South Korea	2.7%
Niger	2.6%
United Kingdom	2.0%
Belgium	1.8%
Spain	1.6%
Malaysia	1.5%
South Africa	1.5%
Saudi Arabia	1.3%
See More Countries	57.1%

Source: Comtrade, Latest Available Data

Main Products

5.1 bn USD of products exported in 2021
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	77.4%
Cotton, neither carded nor combedCotton, neither carded nor combed	9.0%
Zinc ores and concentratesZinc ores and concentrates	3.1%
Coconuts, brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or...Coconuts, brazil nuts and cashew nuts, fresh or dried, whether or not shelled or peeled	2.3%
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)	2.1%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured	0.7%
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%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	0.4%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and roadrollers	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	0.3%
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	0.3%
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)	0.2%
Soya beans, whether or not brokenSoya beans, whether or not broken	0.2%
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%
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.	0.1%
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)	0.1%
See More Products	6.1%

4.7 bn USD of products imported in 2021
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	22.8%
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)	4.2%
Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not...Cement, incl. cement clinkers, whether or not coloured	4.0%
Electrical energyElectrical energy	3.1%
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)	2.8%
Petroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbonsPetroleum gas and other gaseous hydrocarbons	2.5%
Bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel,...Bars and rods of iron or non-alloy steel, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound coils	1.6%
Wheat and meslinWheat and meslin	1.6%
Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl....Motor vehicles for the transport of goods, incl. chassis with engine and cab	1.6%
RiceRice	1.5%
Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders,...Self-propelled bulldozers, angledozers, graders, levellers, scrapers, mechanical shovels, excavators, shovel loaders, tamping machines and roadrollers	1.4%
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)	1.4%
Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with...Motorcycles, incl. mopeds, and cycles fitted with an auxiliary motor, with or without side-cars; side-cars	1.3%
Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast...Articles of iron or steel, n.e.s. (excl. cast articles)	1.1%
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)	1.0%
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.	0.9%
Cyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanidesCyanides, cyanide oxides and complex cyanides	0.9%
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.	0.9%
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	0.9%
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%
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	0.8%
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	0.8%
New pneumatic tyres, of rubberNew pneumatic tyres, of rubber	0.8%
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	0.7%
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	0.6%
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	0.6%
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)	0.6%
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	0.6%
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	0.6%
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%
Food preparations, n.e.s.Food preparations, n.e.s.	0.6%
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	0.6%
Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g...Tubes, pipes and hoses, and fittings therefor, e.g. joints, elbows, flanges, of plastics	0.5%
Frozen fish (excl. fish fillets and other fish...Frozen fish (excl. fish fillets and other fish meat of heading 0304)	0.5%
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)	0.5%
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.	0.5%
Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in...Cane or beet sugar and chemically pure sucrose, in solid form	0.5%
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.	0.5%
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)	0.5%
Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)Tractors (other than tractors of heading 8709)	0.5%
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	0.5%
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%
Prefabricated buildings, whether or not complete...Prefabricated buildings, whether or not complete or already assembled	0.5%
Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g....Electrical transformers, static converters, e.g. rectifiers, and inductors; parts thereof	0.4%
Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added...Milk and cream, concentrated or containing added sugar or other sweetening matter	0.4%
Malt, whether or not roastedMalt, whether or not roasted	0.4%
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.	0.4%
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%
Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined...Palm oil and its fractions, whether or not refined (excl. chemically modified)	0.4%
Compression-ignition internal combustion piston...Compression-ignition internal combustion piston engine "diesel or semi-diesel engine"	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%
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)	0.4%
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%
Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, incl...Articles of apparel and clothing accessories, incl. gloves, mittens and mitts, for all purposes, of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber and footwear and headgear and parts thereof)	0.3%
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)	0.3%
Electric generating sets and rotary convertersElectric generating sets and rotary converters	0.3%
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)	0.3%
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)	0.3%
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	0.3%
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)	0.3%
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%
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	0.3%
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%
Wheat or meslin flourWheat or meslin flour	0.3%
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)	0.3%
Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl....Quicklime, slaked lime and hydraulic lime (excl. pure calcium oxide and calcium hydroxide)	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%
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)	0.3%
Machines and mechanical appliances having...Machines and mechanical appliances having individual functions, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter; parts thereof	0.3%
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	0.3%
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%
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%
Pharmaceutical preparations and products of...Pharmaceutical preparations and products of subheadings 3006.10.10 to 3006.60.90	0.2%
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)	0.2%
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	0.2%
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)	0.2%
Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons,...Motor vehicles for the transport of >= 10 persons, incl. driver	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%
Special purpose motor vehicles (other than those...Special purpose motor vehicles (other than those principally designed for the transport of persons or goods), e.g. breakdown lorries, crane lorries, fire fighting vehicles, concrete-mixer lorries, road sweeper lorries, spraying lorries, mobile workshops and mobile radiological units	0.2%
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)	0.2%
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%
Articles for interior furnishing, of all types of...Articles for interior furnishing, of all types of textile materials (excl. blankets and travelling rugs, bedlinen, table linen, toilet linen, kitchen linen, curtains, incl. drapes, interior blinds, curtain or bed valances, lampshades and articles of heading 9404)	0.2%
Special garments for professional, sporting or...Special garments for professional, sporting or other purposes, n.e.s., knitted or crocheted	0.2%
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%
Dishwashing machines; machinery for cleaning or...Dishwashing machines; machinery for cleaning or drying bottles or other containers; machinery for filling, closing, sealing or labelling bottles, cans, boxes, bags or other containers; machinery for capsuling bottles, jars, tubes and similar containers; other packing or wrapping machinery, incl. heat-shrink wrapping machinery; machinery for aerating beverages; parts thereof	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%
Garments made up of felt or nonwovens, whether or...Garments made up of felt or nonwovens, whether or not impregnated, coated, covered or laminated; garments of textile fabrics, rubberised or impregnated, coated, covered or laminated with plastics or other substances (excl. knitted or crocheted, and babies' garments and clothing accessories)	0.2%
Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy...Angles, shapes and sections of iron or non-alloy steel, n.e.s.	0.2%
Reception apparatus for radio-broadcasting,...Reception apparatus for radio-broadcasting, whether or not combined, in the same housing, with sound recording or reproducing apparatus or a clock	0.2%
Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production...Gas, liquid or electricity supply or production meters, incl. calibrating meters therefor	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%
Tube or pipe fittings "e.g. couplings, elbows,...Tube or pipe fittings "e.g. couplings, elbows, sleeves", of iron or steel	0.2%
Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles,...Tanks and other armoured fighting vehicles, motorised, whether or not fitted with weapons, and parts of such vehicles, n.e.s.	0.2%
Parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles...Parts and accessories for motorcycles and bicycles and for carriages for disabled persons, n.e.s.	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%
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)	0.2%
Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in...Machinery, not specified or included elsewhere in this chapter, for the industrial preparation or manufacture of food or drink (other than machinery for the extraction or preparation of animal or fixed vegetable fats or oils); parts thereof	0.2%
Air conditioning machines comprising a...Air conditioning machines comprising a motor-driven fan and elements for changing the temperature and humidity, incl. those machines in which the humidity cannot be separately regulated; parts thereof	0.2%
Beer made from maltBeer made from malt	0.2%
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless, of...Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, seamless, of iron or steel (excl. products of cast iron)	0.2%
Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins,...Polyacetals, other polyethers and epoxide resins, in primary forms; polycarbonates, alkyd resins, polyallyl esters and other polyesters, in primary forms	0.2%
Tubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast ironTubes, pipes and hollow profiles, of cast iron	0.1%
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%
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%
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%
Monitors and projectors, not incorporating...Monitors and projectors, not incorporating television reception apparatus; reception apparatus for television, whether or not incorporating radio-broadcast receivers or sound or video recording or reproducing apparatus	0.1%
Polymers of ethylene, in primary formsPolymers of ethylene, in primary forms	0.1%
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%
Salts, incl. table salt and denatured salt, and...Salts, incl. table salt and denatured salt, and pure sodium chloride, whether or not in aqueous solution or containing added anti-caking or free-flowing agents; sea water	0.1%
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	0.1%
Articles of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber),...Articles of vulcanised rubber (excl. hard rubber), n.e.s.	0.1%
Printed books, brochures and similar printed...Printed books, brochures and similar printed matter, whether or not in single sheets (excl. periodicals and publications which are essentially devoted to advertising)	0.1%
Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery,...Lifting, handling, loading or unloading machinery, e.g. lifts, escalators, conveyors, teleferics (excl. pulley tackle and hoists, winches and capstans, jacks, cranes of all kinds, mobile lifting frames and straddle carriers, works trucks fitted with a crane, fork-lift trucks and other works trucks fitted with lifting or handling equipment)	0.1%
Acrylic polymers, in primary formsAcrylic polymers, in primary forms	0.1%
Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or...Prepared foods obtained by the swelling or roasting of cereals or cereal products, e.g. corn flakes; cereals (other than maize "corn") in grain form or in the form of flakes or other worked grains (except flour, groats and meal), pre-cooked or otherwise prepared, n.e.s.	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%
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%
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%
Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics,...Footwear with outer soles of rubber or plastics, with uppers other than rubber, plastics, leather or textile materials; footwear with outer soles of leather or composition leather, with uppers other than leather or textile materials; footwear with outer soles of wood, cork, twine, paperboard, furskin, woven fabrics, felt, nonwovens, linoleum, raffia, straw, loofah, etc and uppers of any type of material, n.e.s.	0.1%
Instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical...Instruments and apparatus for physical or chemical analysis, e.g. polarimeters, refractometers, spectrometers, gas or smoke analysis apparatus; instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking viscosity, porosity, expansion, surface tension or the like; instruments and apparatus for measuring or checking quantities of heat, sound or light, incl. exposure meters; microtomes	0.1%
Wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified wines; grape...Wine of fresh grapes, incl. fortified wines; grape must, partly fermented and of an actual alcoholic strength of > 0,5% vol or grape must with added alcohol of an actual alcoholic strength of > 0,5% vol	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%
Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for...Uncoated paper and paperboard, of a kind used for writing, printing or other graphic purposes, and non-perforated punchcards and punch-tape paper, in rolls or in square or rectangular sheets, of any size, and handmade paper and paperboard (excl. newsprint of heading 4801 and paper of heading 4803)	0.1%
Table, kitchen or other household articles, and...Table, kitchen or other household articles, and parts thereof, of iron or steel; iron or steel wool; pot scourers and scouring or polishing pads, gloves and the like, of iron or steel (excl. cans, boxes and similar containers of heading 7310; waste baskets; shovels, corkscrews and other articles of the nature of a work implement; articles of cutlery, spoons, ladles, forks etc. of heading 8211 to 8215; ornamental articles; sanitary ware)	0.1%
Parts suitable for use solely or principally with...Parts suitable for use solely or principally with transmission and reception apparatus for radio-telephony, radio-telegraphy, radio-broadcasting, television, television cameras, still image video cameras and other video camera recorders, radar apparatus, radio navigational aid apparatus or radio remote control apparatus, n.e.s.	0.1%
Yeasts, active or inactive; other dead single-cell...Yeasts, active or inactive; other dead single-cell micro-organisms, prepared baking powders (excl. single-cell micro-organisms packaged as medicaments)	0.1%
Ball or roller bearings (excl. steel balls of...Ball or roller bearings (excl. steel balls of heading 7326); parts thereof	0.1%
Made-up articles of textile materials, incl. dress...Made-up articles of textile materials, incl. dress patterns, n.e.s.	0.1%
See More Products	63.0%

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 2018
TravelTravel +	21.79%
Personal travelPersonal travel	13.19%
Business travelBusiness travel	8.60%
Construction servicesConstruction services	20.57%
Financial servicesFinancial services	16.30%
TransportationTransportation	14.38%
Computer and information servicesComputer and information services	10.57%
Government servicesGovernment services	9.02%
Other business servicesOther business services	5.76%
Insurance servicesInsurance services	1.44%
Royalties and license feesRoyalties and license fees	0.15%
Cultural and recreational servicesCultural and recreational services	0.01%

1.4 bn USD of services imported in 2018
TransportationTransportation	49.50%
Other business servicesOther business services	10.06%
Insurance servicesInsurance services	9.81%
TravelTravel +	8.37%
Personal travelPersonal travel	5.08%
Business travelBusiness travel	3.29%
Financial servicesFinancial services	7.79%
Computer and information servicesComputer and information services	7.05%
Construction servicesConstruction services	5.18%
Cultural and recreational servicesCultural and recreational services	1.79%
Government servicesGovernment services	0.42%
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 Foreign Affairs and Cooperation
Ministry of Justice
Ministry of Finance
Ministry of Labour
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 (transitional): Capt Ibrahim TRAORE (since the military coup of 30 September 2022)
Prime Minister: Albert OUEDRAOGO (since 3 March 2022)
Next Election Dates: Presidential: 2024
National Assembly: 2024
Main Political Parties: The main political parties in Burkina Faso are:
ADF/RDA (Alliance pour la démocratie et la fédération/Rassemblement démocratique africain) - liberal
CDP (Congrès pour la démocratie et le progrès) - left-wing; it is the party of the ex-president Roch Marc Christian Kaboré
CPD (Parti pour le développement et le changement)
Le Faso autrement - center/liberal
Type of State: Democratic Republic.
Executive Power: The executive power is vested in the President, who is the Head of State and embodies and ensures national unity. The President is the guarantor of the constitution, national independence, integrity of the national territory, state continuity, and respect for international agreements (art. 36 of the constitution). The President is elected for 5 years and can be re-elected only once (art 37). He/She nominates the Prime Minister, who is then approved by the Parliament.
Legislative Power: The legislative power is attributed to the National Assembly (“Assemblée nationale”), whose members are elected through direct universal suffrage (art 80) for a five-year term (art 81).

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

COVID-19 Country Response

Travel restrictions: Regularly updated travel information for all countries with regards to Covid-19 related entry regulations, flight bans, test requirements and quarantine is available on TravelDoc Infopage.
It is also highly recommended to consult COVID-19 Travel Regulations Map provided and updated on the daily basis by IATA.
The UK Foreign travel advice also provides comprehensive travelling abroad advice for all countries, including the latest information on health, safety, security, entry requirements and travel warnings.
Import & export restrictions: A general overview of trade restrictions which were adopted by different countries during the COVID-19 pandemic is available on the International Trade Centre's COVID-19 Temporary Trade Measures webpage.
Economic recovery plan: For the general overview of the key economic policy responses to the COVID-19 pandemic (fiscal, monetary and macroeconomic) taken by the government of Burkina Faso, please consult the country's dedicated section in the IMF’s Policy Tracker platform.
Support plan for businesses: For a general overview of international SME support policy responses to the COVID-19 outbreak refer to the OECD's SME Covid-19 Policy Responses document.
You can also consult the World Bank's Map of SME-Support Measures in Response to COVID-19.

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