Country Name: Burkina Faso

Capital: Ouagadougou

Official Visa & Travel Information: Burkina Faso e-Visa Applicant Web Portal (Visa Services)

Government Type: presidential republic

Background: Many of Burkina Faso’s ethnic groups arrived in the region between the 12th and 15th centuries. The Gurma and Mossi peoples established several of the largest kingdoms in the area and used horse-mounted warriors in military campaigns. Of the various Mossi kingdoms, the most powerful were Ouagadougou and Yatenga. In the late 19th century, European states competed for control of the region. France eventually conquered the area and established it as a French protectorate.

The country achieved independence from France in 1960 and changed its name to Burkina Faso in 1984. Repeated military coups were common in the country’s first few decades. In 1987 Blaise COMPAORE deposed the former president, established a government, and ruled for 27 years. In October 2014, COMPAORE resigned following protests against his repeated efforts to amend the constitution's two-term presidential limit. An interim administration led a year-long transition period organizing presidential and legislative elections. In November 2015, Roch Marc Christian KABORE was elected president; he was reelected in November 2020. In 2022, military personnel conducted two takeovers. First, in January 2022, Paul Henri DAMIBA, a colonel in the army, overthrew KABORE in a coup d'etat and then, in September 2022, army captain Ibrahim TRAORE deposed DAMIBA and declared himself transition president. The transition government had planned to hold democratic elections by July 2024, but may be delayed due to security concerns.

Continent: Africa

Population: 22,489,126 (2023 est.)

Ethnic Groups: Mossi 52%, Fulani (Peuhl) 8.4%, Gurma 7%, Bobo 4.9%, Gurunsi 4.6%, Senufo 4.5%, Bissa 3.7%, Lobi 2.4%, Dagara 2.4%, Tuareg/Bella 1.9%, Dyula 0.8%, unspecified/no answer 0.3%, other 7.2% (2010 est.)

Languages: Mossi 52.9%, Fula 7.8%, Gourmantche 6.8%, Dyula 5.7%, Bissa 3.3%, Gurunsi 3.2%, French (official) 2.2%, Bwamu 2%, Dagara 2%, San 1.7%, Marka 1.6%, Bobo 1.5%, Senufo 1.5%, Lobi 1.2%, other 6.6% (2019 est.)

Religions: Muslim 63.8%, Roman Catholic 20.1%, Animiste 9%, Protestant 6.2%, other 0.2%, none 0.7% (2019 est.)

Economic Overview: highly agrarian, low-income economy; limited natural resources; widespread poverty; terrorism disrupting potential economic activity; improving trade balance via increases in gold exports; economy inflating after prior deflation; growing public debt but still manageable

Currency: West African CFA Franc (XOF)

Reserves of Foreign Exchange & Gold: $49 million (31 December 2017 est.)

Real GDP (Purchasing Power Parity): $48.949 billion (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Real GDP Growth Rate: 1.78% (2022 est.) note: annual GDP % growth based on constant local currency

Real GDP per Capita: $2,200 (2022 est.) note: data in 2017 dollars

Exports: 

• $6.234 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - exports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 127

Export Commodities: gold, cotton, zinc, cashews, sesame seeds (2021)

Export Partners: Switzerland 59%, India 21% (2019)

Imports: 

• $5.835 billion (2021 est.) note: balance of payments - imports of goods and services in current dollars

• Comparison Ranking: 141

Import Commodities: refined petroleum, delivery trucks, packaged medicines, electricity, aircraft (2019)

Import Partners: Cote d'Ivoire 15%, China 9%, Ghana 8%, France 8%, India 6%, United States 5% (2019)

Natural Resources: gold, manganese, zinc, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, salt

Agricultural Products: sorghum, maize, millet, cotton, cow peas, sugar cane, groundnuts, rice, sesame seed, vegetables

Industries: cotton lint, beverages, agricultural processing, soap, cigarettes, textiles, gold

Industrial Production Growth Rate: 

• -8.28% (2022 est.) note: annual % change in industrial value added based on constant local currency

• Comparison Ranking: 209

Labor Force: 8.328 million (2022 est.)

Unemployment Rate: 5.07% (2022 est.) note: % of labor force seeking employment

Natural Hazards: Geography:

• Total: 274,200 sq km

• Land: 273,800 sq km

• Water: 400 sq km

(Country Summary, The World Factbook, CIA.gov)

LEGAL, FINANCIAL, & TAX ADVICE DISCLAIMER: The information on SportsLifeMoney’s™ (“SLM”) websites, podcast network, videos, social media accounts, and other platforms (collectively, “SLM Platforms”) is strictly and solely provided for educational and informational purposes only. All of the information and materials on the aforementioned SLM Platforms do not constitute and are not intended to provide legal, financial, accounting, or tax advice, and should not be relied on in that respect. SLM recommends that you consult with an attorney, certified financial advisor, or licensed accountant to answer any legal, financial, or tax questions you may have. SLM also recommends that you consult with an attorney, certified financial advisor, or licensed accountant before making any legal, financial, or tax-related decisions based on content and/or subject matter included and/or discussed on any of the SLM Platforms. Before you act or rely on any information you have heard, read, viewed, and/or listened to on any of the SLM Platforms or communication mediums, SLM recommends that you confirm any and all facts that are important to your decision and that you subsequently consult with an appropriate professional (e.g., attorney, certified financial advisor, certified accountant, etc.) and have them review these facts and also confirm their validity. CAUTION: IF YOU RELY ON ANY INFORMATION, CONTENT, PRODUCT, OR SERVICE FROM ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS, YOU DO SO AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU UNDERSTAND THAT YOU ARE SOLELY RESPONSIBLE FOR ANY AND ALL DAMAGES OR LOSS THAT YOU MAY INCUR THAT RESULTS FROM YOUR USE AND/OR RELIANCE OF ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS OR ANY OF THE CONTENT OR MATERIAL OTHERWISE PROVIDED ON ANY OF THESE SLM PLATFORMS. SLM AND ANY AND ALL OF ITS AFFILIATES MAKE NO IMPLIED OR EXPRESS REPRESENTATIONS OR IMPLIED OR EXPRESS WARRANTIES OF ANY KIND REGARDING ANY AND ALL INFORMATION ON ANY OF THE SLM PLATFORMS OR SLM’S AFFILIATE PLATFORMS. SLM AND ITS AFFILIATES WILL NOT BE HELD LIABLE FOR ANY DAMAGES. By continuing to use any of the SLM Platforms, you acknowledge and agree to the aforementioned terms and conditions of this disclaimer and any and all other legally binding terms and conditions set forth in SLM’s Privacy Policy, Terms & Conditions, and other legally binding agreements.