Contents

Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Country







Capital
Ouagadougou
Largest city
Ouagadougou





Demonym
Burkinabè




Legislature
Assemblée législative du Peuple








Currency
West African CFA franc(XOF)



Calling code
+226






Website
Official website


Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by Mali to the northwest and west, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, and Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire to the south. Its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou. The country covers about 274,200 square kilometres and had an estimated population of 24.1 million in 2025.[1][2]

The territory was known during the colonial and early post-independence periods as Upper Volta. France created the colony of Upper Volta in 1919 within French West Africa, although the territory was later divided and reconstituted. It became an autonomous republic within the French Community in 1958 and gained independence on 5 August 1960.[3] The country was renamed Burkina Faso in 1984 during the presidency of Thomas Sankara.[4]

Burkina Faso has experienced repeated periods of military and civilian rule since independence. Captain Ibrahim Traoré became head of state after a military takeover in September 2022. A revised transition charter adopted in May 2024 extended the transitional period for 60 months from 2 July 2024, while allowing elections to be held earlier if security conditions permit.[5]

Since the 2010s, Burkina Faso has faced a major security and humanitarian crisis associated with armed groups operating across the Sahel. Millions of people have required humanitarian assistance, and large numbers have been internally displaced.[6]

Name

The name Burkina Faso was adopted in August 1984, replacing Upper Volta. The change took place under President Thomas Sankara as part of his government's effort to promote a distinct national identity.[7] The name combines words from local languages and is commonly interpreted as referring to a country or homeland of upright or honourable people.

The demonym is Burkinabè. Unlike many country demonyms, the term is generally used unchanged for gender or number.

Geography

Burkina Faso lies in the interior of West Africa and has no coastline. Its neighbours are Mali, Niger, Benin, Togo, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire. The country's total surface area is approximately 274,200 square kilometres.[8]

Much of Burkina Faso consists of relatively low, gently undulating plateaus. The landscape changes from the drier Sahel in the north to more vegetated savanna in the south. Rainfall is strongly seasonal, and the length and reliability of the rainy season generally increase toward the south.[9]

Several rivers belonging to the Volta basin cross the country. Historically, three of these rivers were known as the Black Volta, White Volta and Red Volta, contributing to the former colonial name Upper Volta.

Climate and environment

Burkina Faso has a predominantly tropical climate shaped by alternating dry and rainy seasons. Northern areas are part of the semi-arid Sahel, while the south receives more rainfall and supports denser savanna vegetation. Drought, irregular rainfall, land degradation and pressure on water resources affect agriculture and rural livelihoods.[10]

Burkina Faso shares the transnational W-Arly-Pendjari Complex with neighbouring countries. The complex is recognized by UNESCO as a World Heritage Site and contains important savanna ecosystems and wildlife habitats.[11]

History

Pre-colonial period

Before European colonial rule, the territory that now forms Burkina Faso was home to numerous societies and political communities. The Mossi kingdoms became especially influential in the central part of the region. Their political systems endured for centuries and were centred on kingdoms including Ouagadougou and other Mossi states.[12]

Other communities in the west, southwest, north and east developed their own political, commercial and cultural systems. Trade routes linked the region with other parts of West Africa and the wider Sahel.

French rule and Upper Volta

France expanded control over the area in the late nineteenth century. Upper Volta was formally established as a colony of French West Africa in 1919. The colony was dissolved in 1932 and portions of its territory were administered by neighbouring French colonies before Upper Volta was re-established in 1947.[13]

Political reforms after the Second World War gradually increased local representation and self-government. Upper Volta became an autonomous republic within the French Community on 11 December 1958 and achieved full independence on 5 August 1960.[14]

Early independence and military governments

Maurice Yaméogo became the country's first president. His government was removed in 1966 following strikes and demonstrations, after which Lieutenant Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana took power. The following decades included repeated changes between constitutional and military government.[15]

Colonel Saye Zerbo overthrew Lamizana in 1980. Zerbo was himself removed in 1982 by a group led by Major Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo. Political struggles within the military government contributed to another takeover in August 1983 that brought Captain Thomas Sankara to power.[16]

Sankara and Compaoré

Sankara's government pursued ambitious programmes in public health, education, vaccination, infrastructure, women's participation and rural development while promoting greater economic self-reliance. In August 1984, the state was renamed Burkina Faso.[17]

Sankara was killed during a coup on 15 October 1987. Blaise Compaoré, a former associate of Sankara, became president and remained the dominant political figure for the next 27 years.

Compaoré left office in October 2014 following large public demonstrations against a proposed constitutional change that could have allowed him to seek another presidential term. A political transition followed.

From civilian rule to the 2022 coups

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré won the 2015 presidential election and was re-elected in 2020. His government faced a rapidly worsening security situation as armed Islamist groups expanded operations in parts of the north and east.

In January 2022, soldiers removed Kaboré from office and Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba became head of state. On 30 September 2022, another group of military officers removed Damiba, and Captain Ibrahim Traoré subsequently became transitional president.

Traoré was sworn in as President of Faso on 21 October 2022.[18] In May 2024, national consultations resulted in a revised transition charter extending the transition for another five years from July 2024, subject to the possibility of earlier elections if security conditions permit.[19]

Government and politics

Burkina Faso is governed under transitional political arrangements. Ibrahim Traoré is President of Faso and head of state. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouédraogo was appointed prime minister in December 2024 and heads the government.[20][21]

The transitional legislature is the Assemblée législative du Peuple (ALP), or Assembly of the People. It replaced the earlier transitional legislative arrangement and continued to operate in 2026 under the presidency of Ousmane Bougouma.[22]

Constitutional reforms adopted in 2024 changed several institutional provisions. Article 35 of the revised constitution provides that national languages formalized by law are official languages, while French and English are working languages.[23]

Administrative divisions

Burkina Faso underwent a major administrative reorganization in 2025. The country increased its number of regions from 13 to 17 and its provinces from 45 to 47. It also had 350 departments following the reform.[24]

The 17 regions are:

The reform also introduced or restored locally derived names for regions and some provinces. Four new regions and two new provinces were created.[25] An updated government administrative map published in September 2026 confirms the structure of 17 regions, 47 provinces and 350 departments.[26]

Foreign relations

Burkina Faso is a member of the United Nations, having joined on 20 September 1960.[27]

Relations with neighbouring Sahel states have become increasingly important. Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger established the Alliance of Sahel States in September 2023. At a summit in Niamey on 6 July 2024, the three countries adopted a treaty establishing the Confederation of Sahel States.[28]

Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger announced their withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Their withdrawals became effective on 29 January 2025.[29] ECOWAS initially maintained several practical arrangements concerning travel documents, movement of people and trade while negotiations on the consequences of withdrawal continued.[30]

Security and humanitarian situation

Burkina Faso has faced a prolonged armed conflict involving militant groups operating across the Sahel. Violence has affected communities particularly in northern, eastern and, increasingly, western parts of the country. Government security forces and civilian auxiliaries known as Volunteers for the Defence of the Homeland have participated in operations against armed groups.

The conflict has caused large-scale population displacement and disrupted access to farming, markets, schools and health services. United Nations humanitarian reporting estimated that about 4.5 million people in Burkina Faso required humanitarian assistance in 2026.[31]

Official consolidated displacement figures have varied by reporting period and methodology. Humanitarian agencies have reported around two million internally displaced people in recent years, while noting population returns to some areas.[32][33]

Food insecurity, interrupted education, malnutrition and limited humanitarian access remain significant concerns in conflict-affected areas. UNICEF estimated that 4.5 million people, including 2.9 million children, would need humanitarian assistance in 2026.[34]

Economy

Burkina Faso has a low-income economy in which agriculture, mining and services are important sources of production and employment. Agriculture remains central to rural livelihoods, while gold has become the country's most important export commodity.

According to the World Bank, real gross domestic product grew by an estimated 5.3% in 2025, compared with 4.8% in 2024. Growth was supported by services, agriculture, construction and mining.[35] World Bank data placed 2025 GDP at approximately US$27.6 billion and GDP per capita at about US$1,148.[36]

Gold is especially important to foreign trade. IMF figures show that gold accounted for the large majority of merchandise export earnings in 2025, while cotton remained another significant export product.[37]

The country uses the West African CFA franc, issued by the Central Bank of West African States. The currency code is XOF.[38]

Agricultural production includes cereals and cash crops, with cotton historically playing an important role in exports and rural incomes. Farming remains vulnerable to variable rainfall, land degradation, insecurity and restricted access to some agricultural areas.

Demographics

Burkina Faso's population has grown rapidly over recent decades. The World Bank estimated a population of 24,074,580 in 2025, with annual population growth of about 2.2%.[39]

Ouagadougou is the capital and largest urban centre. Bobo-Dioulasso is the country's other major city and an important commercial and cultural centre in the west.

Burkina Faso is home to many ethno-cultural communities. The Mossi constitute the largest single group, particularly in central Burkina Faso, while other communities include Fulani, Gourmantché, Bissa, Bobo, Dagara, Lobi, Sénoufo and numerous others. UNESCO's national inventory of intangible cultural heritage documented around 1,300 living traditions among approximately 60 ethno-cultural communities.[40]

Languages

Burkina Faso is highly multilingual. Mooré is widely spoken in the centre of the country, while Fulfuldé, Jula or Dioula, Gourmanché, Bissa and many other languages are used in different regions.

A constitutional revision changed the formal language framework. Article 35 states that national languages officialized by law are the official languages of Burkina Faso. French and English are designated as working languages.[41]

The government had previously adopted a national language policy for 2021–2030 intended to expand the role of national languages in public, cultural and institutional life.[42]

Religion

Islam is the country's largest religion, alongside substantial Christian communities and followers of traditional African religions. Religious affiliation and customary practices can overlap, and traditional beliefs remain culturally important in many communities.

Historical census-based figures have shown a Muslim majority, with Roman Catholic, Protestant and traditional-belief communities forming most of the remainder.[43]

Education

Burkina Faso has expanded access to formal education over time, but poverty, geographic inequality and the security crisis continue to restrict attendance in many areas.

Conflict has led to school closures and displacement of pupils and teachers. In June 2025, UNICEF reported that government efforts had enabled around 2,500 schools to reopen over the preceding two years, while roughly four out of ten school-age children remained out of school.[44]

Higher-education institutions include universities and specialized institutes in Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso and other urban centres.

Health

Burkina Faso's health system deals with infectious diseases, maternal and child health needs, malnutrition and unequal access to care. Security-related displacement has placed additional pressure on services in affected regions.

The World Bank reported life expectancy at birth of about 61 years in 2024.[45] The World Health Organization reported an under-five mortality rate of 51 deaths per 1,000 live births in 2024.[46]

Malaria remains an important public-health problem. Burkina Faso is among the malaria-endemic countries covered by the World Health Organization's annual malaria surveillance and country reporting system.[47]

Culture

Burkina Faso has a culturally diverse population with traditions in music, dance, oral storytelling, masks, architecture, metalworking and other arts. UNESCO's intangible-heritage work in the country has documented traditions from dozens of ethno-cultural communities.[48]

Ouagadougou hosts the Pan-African Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou, commonly known as FESPACO, one of Africa's major film festivals. The country also hosts the International Arts and Crafts Fair of Ouagadougou, or SIAO. UNESCO identifies both FESPACO and SIAO as prominent international cultural events associated with Burkina Faso.[49]

Heritage

As of 2026, Burkina Faso had four properties inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List: the Ruins of Loropéni, the Ancient Ferrous Metallurgy Sites of Burkina Faso, the Royal Court of Tiébélé, and its component of the transnational W-Arly-Pendjari Complex.[50]

The Ruins of Loropéni consist of fortified stone remains linked to the historical gold trade of the region. The Royal Court of Tiébélé, inscribed in 2024, is known for Kassena architecture and decorated earthen buildings.

Cultural practices and expressions associated with the balafon, shared with Mali, Côte d'Ivoire and Indonesia through a multinational nomination, were added to UNESCO's Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2024.[51]

Transport and infrastructure

Road transport is the main means of movement for people and goods within Burkina Faso and between the country and neighbouring coastal states. Because Burkina Faso is landlocked, international trade depends heavily on transport corridors connecting it to ports in countries such as Côte d'Ivoire, Ghana, Togo and Benin.

A railway connects Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso with Côte d'Ivoire. Ouagadougou is also the country's main aviation centre.

See also

References

  1. ↑ Burkina Faso. UNData. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  2. ↑ Burkina Faso Data. World Bank. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  3. ↑ Burkina Faso (Upper Volta). Office of the Historian. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  4. ↑ Background Notes: Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  5. ↑ Burkina Faso extends junta rule by five years. Reuters. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  6. ↑ Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  7. ↑ Burkina Faso (Upper Volta). Office of the Historian. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  8. ↑ Burkina Faso. UNData. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  9. ↑ Country Profile – Burkina Faso. AQUASTAT. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  10. ↑ Country Profile – Burkina Faso. AQUASTAT. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  11. ↑ Burkina Faso – World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  12. ↑ Background Notes: Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  13. ↑ Background Notes: Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  14. ↑ Burkina Faso (Upper Volta). Office of the Historian. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  15. ↑ Burkina Faso (10/03). Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  16. ↑ Burkina Faso (10/03). Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  17. ↑ Background Notes: Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  18. ↑ Accueil – Présidence du Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  19. ↑ Burkina Faso extends junta rule by five years. Reuters. 25 May 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  20. ↑ Premier ministre, chef du Gouvernement. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  21. ↑ Accueil – Présidence du Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  22. ↑ Assemblée législative du Peuple : vingt nouveaux députés font officiellement leur entrée au Parlement. 31 July 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  23. ↑ Loi constitutionnelle portant révision de la Constitution. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  24. ↑ Réorganisation du territoire national : Le Ministre d’Etat, Emile ZERBO donne des éclairages aux Hommes de médias. 3 July 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  25. ↑ Conseil des ministres du 2 juillet 2025. 2 July 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  26. ↑ Carte du Burkina Faso: 17 régions, 47 provinces et 350 départements. 16 September 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  27. ↑ Burkina Faso. UNData. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  28. ↑ Consolidation de l’AES : les Chefs d’Etat adoptent le traité portant création de la confédération. 7 July 2024. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  29. ↑ Press Statement. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  30. ↑ Burkina Faso, Mali And Niger’s Withdrawal from ECOWAS is now a reality. 30 January 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  31. ↑ Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  32. ↑ Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  33. ↑ Burkina Faso Crisis Response Plan 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  34. ↑ Burkina Faso 2026 Humanitarian Action for Children Appeal. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  35. ↑ Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  36. ↑ Burkina Faso Data. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  37. ↑ Burkina Faso: Fourth Review Under the Extended Credit Facility Arrangement. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  38. ↑ Burkina Faso. UNData. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  39. ↑ Burkina Faso Data. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  40. ↑ Inventory and promotion of intangible cultural heritage in Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  41. ↑ Loi constitutionnelle portant révision de la Constitution. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  42. ↑ Compte rendu du Conseil des ministres du 29 décembre 2021. 29 December 2021. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  43. ↑ 2019 Report on International Religious Freedom: Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  44. ↑ Burkina Faso: Education Cannot Wait and UNICEF launch inclusive and resilient education programme. 26 June 2025. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  45. ↑ Burkina Faso Data. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  46. ↑ Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  47. ↑ Malaria 2025 Burkina Faso country profile. 16 February 2026. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  48. ↑ Burkina Faso ready for safeguarding living heritage throughout the country. 30 August 2018. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  49. ↑ Culture 2030 Indicators National Profile of Burkina Faso. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  50. ↑ Burkina Faso – World Heritage Convention. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
  51. ↑ Burkina Faso – Intangible Cultural Heritage. Retrieved 26 September 2026.
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