Burkina Faso Country Report

A landlocked developing country in West Africa, Burkina Faso ranks among the poorest nations on the continent. Burkina has few natural resources, and the majority of the population relies on subsistence agriculture. However, the government has actively sought to encourage foreign investment, especially in the extractive sector, although perceptions of a risky business climate and the prevalence of corruption remain major obstacles to the country’s growth.

Burkina has faced increasing political and security challenges in recent years. In 2014, long-ruling leader Blaise Compaore was ousted in an uprising, ushering in a brief period of uncharacteristic instability. Members of Compaore's former presidential guard unit staged a coup a year later against the new government, but it would prove short-lived due to lack of popular support and protests across the country. President Roch Marc Christian Kabore subsequently ruled the country before being ousted by a coup in late January 2022. In September of the same year, Captain Ibrahim Traore, ousted former President Paul-Henri Damiba in a second coup. Burkina is also faced with an increased terrorist threat due to a spillover of jihadist activities from Mali. Terrorist groups have staged deadly attacks in the capital, Ouagadougou, as well as in most parts of the country, most notably in the Sahel and East regions.

Road infrastructure, utilities and communications services are adequate in Ouagadougou but can be unreliable in more rural parts of the country. Standards of medical care are limited and any serious illness will likely require air evacuation.

Burkina Faso experiences an increased terrorist threat since early 2015, amid a spillover of Islamist militant activity from neighboring Mali. Crime also poses a concern, with the main threat to foreigners in urban centers stemming from opportunistic criminal activity, and armed banditry in rural areas, especially in border regions. Civil unrest over socio-economic grievances and political developments occur frequently, led by an active and vocal civil society.

There are no major safety concerns over air travel in Burkina Faso.

Road travel is hazardous due to poor road conditions and driving standards.

There are no seaports in Burkina Faso.

Access to utilities are a daily struggle for most in Burkina Faso.

The country is considered an attractive target for cyberattacks. Its defenses against such an attack are thought to be weak.

Burkina has a primarily tropical climate, with dry and hot conditions in the Sahelian north and cooler average temperatures in the south. The country is not at significant risk from storms but experiences frequent flooding during the rainy season from May to September.

Malaria and meningococcal meningitis are major concerns, with multiple outbreaks resulting in thousands of fatalities over the past several years. Basic medical care is available in the major population centers but is severely limited in rural areas. There is limited access to prescription and over-the-counter drugs.

Burkina’s political transition since the 2014 popular uprising against longtime President Blaise Compaore was dealt a significant blow on Jan. 24, 2022 when elements of the military removed democratically-elected President Roch Kabore from power. The political situation witnessed another turmoil when troops led by Captain Ibrahim Traore ousted the ruling military junta headed by Lieutenant-Colonel Paul-Henri Damiba Sept. 30, 2022, dissolving the Burkinabe government.

Elsewhere, corruption remains a problem, although there have been increasing efforts by the former civilian government in recent years to address the issue. The judiciary is generally independent and free from government interference.