Burkina Faso Country Profile

Snapshot of the Burkina Faso Country Profile


Burkina Faso belongs to the category of the world's poorest countries and is largely dependent on foreign donors for its economic development. The government, which has traditionally been the largest economic actor, has been actively promoting foreign investment and privatisation of state-owned companies for many years now. The country's economic performance has progressed in recent years, and currency and price stability have been widely achieved, attracting foreign investment, primarily in the mining sector.

Positive developments in relation to corruption and investment:

  • The government, in an attempt to reduce opportunities for bribery and the use of facilitation payments, has set up Enterprise Registration Centres designed as one-stop shops for business registration. These newly developed centres have simplified registration formalities and eliminated obstacles posed by opening a business.
  • The bidding criteria for public procurement, established and enforced by the newly established Government Tenders Regulation Authority, are clear and the process is transparent.

Risks of corruption:

  • Companies should note that public officials often demand facilitation payments in order to provide licences and services. These demands result in companies having to hand over a relatively large percentage of their annual sales in order to do business.
  • Customs officials are particularly corrupt. The corrupt practices of customs officials include extortion, issuing of false documentation and allowing companies to import goods without proper documentation.
  • Companies should note that the management of land plots in major cities has been marked by numerous irregularities, such as land plots being sold illicitly.


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