Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
Type	Country
Key terms	geography & climate; demographics & culture; economy & governance
Related	Sahel; West Africa; ECOWAS
Examples	Ouagadougou; Bobo-Dioulasso; Koudougou
Domain	Geography
Wikidata	Q965

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It lies on a broad plateau that rises gently toward the Sahara to the north and transitions into wooded savanna in the south The country covers about 274,000 square kilometers and is bordered by six nations: Mali to the north, Niger to the east, Benin and Togo to the southeast, and Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire to the south and southwest Formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta until 1984, it adopted the name Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Upright (Honest) People,” under then-President Thomas Sankara The capital and largest city is Ouagadougou, near the center of the country Burkina Faso’s population is about 23–24 million (in the mid-2020s) It has one of the world’s youngest and fastest-growing populations: more than 65% of people are under age 25 The population is mostly rural (roughly three-quarters live in villages) and engaged in subsistence farming, making the country one of the poorest in the world with high levels of poverty Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has a rich cultural heritage and history, including the legacy of powerful precolonial kingdoms and a vibrant contemporary arts scene.

Geography and Climate

Burkina Faso’s terrain is mostly an elevated plateau (around 200–400 meters above sea level) drained by river systems flowing toward the Niger and Volta rivers. Major rivers include the Black, White and Red Volta, which originate in the country and flow southward into Ghana and the Gulf of Guinea The land is characterized by vast savanna plains—tropical grasslands with scattered trees—grading into denser woodlands in the wetter south In the extreme northwest lie semi-desert areas at the edge of the Sahara.

The climate is tropical but varies greatly from north to south. Burkina Faso has a distinct wet season and long dry season. The rainy season runs roughly from June through September in the south (slightly shorter in the north), bringing most of the annual rainfall. In the southern part of the country, annual rainfall averages around 800–1,000 mm, sufficient to support lush grassland and small forests. In the central regions (the Sudano-Sahelian zone) the climate is less humid, and annual rains average 600–800 mm The far north lies in the Sahel zone, with only about 300–600 mm of rain per year and a semi-arid (“steppe”) climate Yearly temperatures are high throughout the country, often above 40 °C (104 °F) in the hottest season. The long dry season (October–May) features harmattan winds carrying dust from the Sahara. Seasonal forest fires and recurrent droughts are common environmental hazards. Burkina Faso’s environment is vulnerable to desertification and climate change: declining rainfall and overuse of land have led to soil erosion and pressure on water resources.

Despite challenging conditions, Burkina Faso supports diverse wildlife adapted to the savanna. Native trees include species of acacia, shea (karité), baobab and others. Wildlife once included elephants, giraffes, lions and buffalo, but numbers have dwindled under hunting and habitat loss. A number of protected areas exist, especially in the southwest. The W-Arly-Pendjari transboundary park (extending into Benin and Niger) and Arly National Park harbor populations of antelope, hippos and primates. Endemic mammals include the dama gazelle and West African monkey. Burkina Faso’s government and international partners have supported reforestation and “green wall” projects to restore degraded land. Traditional agroforestry methods (like the “zai” planting pits) have proven effective in some areas to conserve moisture and rebuild soils.

History

The region of present-day Burkina Faso has been inhabited for thousands of years. From around the 11th century onward, the Mossi people established powerful kingdoms in the central plateau region. These Mossi states (notably the Kingdom of Ouagadougou) maintained strong, centralized rule under kings (the Mogho Naba) and successfully resisted conquest by neighboring empires Other significant ethnic kingdoms included the Gurunsi in the southwest and the Lobi and Senufo in the far south. For centuries, these societies were organized around agriculture (millet, sorghum, yams) and regional trade, with well-developed traditions of governance and culture.

In the late 19th century the area became a target of the European “Scramble for Africa.” By the 1890s, French colonial forces had conquered the Mossi kingdoms despite strong resistance The territory was incorporated into French West Africa: initially administered as part of “Upper Senegal and Niger,” and in 1919 France created the colony of Upper Volta (Haute-Volta) from parts of present-day Burkina Faso, Mali and Côte d’Ivoire Colonial rule was exploitative: forced labor, heavy taxes, and cash-crop cultivation (especially cotton) were imposed on peasants Infrastructure and education were minimal, so the economy and human development remained weak under colonialism.

After World War II, nationalist movements gained strength. Upper Volta briefly lost its separate administrative status (merged into Ivory Coast) but regained it in 1947. In 1958 it became an autonomous republic within the French Community, and on August 5, 1960, it declared full independence as the Republic of Upper Volta under President Maurice Yaméogo Yaméogo’s civilian government soon became unpopular for authoritarian rule and corruption. In January 1966 a military coup ousted him. Over the next two decades Upper Volta was governed by a series of military rulers, the most prominent being General Sangoulé Lamizana (1966–1980). During this era, the country’s name, flag and institution of presidents changed several times, but political power remained unstable.

A dramatic shift came in 1983, when Captain Thomas Sankara led a popular coup d’état. Sankara was a charismatic, young army officer with Marxist and pan-Africanist ideas. Once in power (at age 33) he launched wide-ranging reforms: promoting rural development, vaccinating children, improving women’s rights, and undertaking massive tree-planting programs to combat erosion In 1984 he renamed the nation Burkina Faso, meaning “Land of Upright (Incorruptible) People” International admiration for Sankara grew, but his policies angered many conservative interests. In October 1987 Sankara was assassinated in a coup led by his former comrade Captain Blaise Compaoré.

Blaise Compaoré took over and reversed many of Sankara’s leftist policies. He remained president for 27 years (1987–2014), becoming Burkina Faso’s longest-serving leader Compaoré presided initially through undisguised military rule and later formed political parties (such as the Congress for Democracy and Progress, CDP) to maintain a controlled democracy. Under Compaoré the economy saw some growth from cotton and especially gold mining, but his regime was marked by repression of dissent and restrictions on the press In 2014, Compaoré attempted to amend the constitution to extend his tenure, triggering mass popular protests. On October 31, 2014, he was forced to resign and flee the country; a transitional civilian government took over for the first time in decades.

In late 2015 the country held its first free multiparty presidential election in decades. Roch Marc Christian Kaboré was elected president (in office 2015–2022), ending four decades of rule by Sankara’s and Compaoré’s circle. Kaboré promised democratic reform and development. He was re-elected in 2020. However, growing violence from Islamist insurgents in the north and east of Burkina Faso led to widespread insecurity․ Army units proved unable to contain the jihadist groups, and by late 2021 dissatisfaction was widespread.

On January 24, 2022, Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba led a military coup that deposed Kaboré’s government. Damiba cited the failure to stop militant violence as justification. Damiba established an interim military government, promising to fight the insurgency. However, in September 2022 Captain Ibrahim Traoré led a second coup ousting Damiba (citing similar reasons) Captain Traoré then became the head of the transitional government. As of 2025, Burkina Faso remains under military (junta) rule; Traoré is transitional president and an extended transition period has been decreed.

Government and Politics

Under its current constitution (adopted in 1991), Burkina Faso was nominally a strong-presidential republic with some checks by a legislature. In practice over much of its history military officers have held power. Parties formed around key figures: after 1991 parties like the Congress for Democracy and Progress (CDP) of President Compaoré dominated national politics The judiciary and legislative assembly functioned under tight executive control, and Burkina had little tradition of independent institutions. Local administration was organized into regions and provinces, but effective governance outside major cities was often weak.

Since the 2022 coup, Burkina Faso has been run by the military government of Capt. Traoré All political parties were suspended by the junta, and parliament was dissolved. The junta has appointed a Prime Minister (as of 2025, Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo but real decision-making rests with the military leadership. The transition charter envisages future elections, but those have been delayed. The state’s security policy is currently focused on counterinsurgency operations against armed Islamist groups that control parts of the north and east. This acute security crisis has dominated politics in recent years.

Internationally, Burkina Faso has reoriented its alliances following the coups. It is a member of the United Nations and the African Union, but the military government has taken a more independent stance toward former colonial power France. In January 2024 the junta announced withdrawal from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), citing disagreements over security and sanctions In March 2025 Burkina Faso also announced its departure from the Organisation internationale de la Francophonie Meanwhile, Burkina has strengthened ties with fellow junta-led neighbors: in 2023 it joined the "Alliance of Sahel States" with Mali and Niger to coordinate mutual defense against insurgents The government has also courted new partners: for example, it has pursued cooperation with Russia, exemplified by granting a mining license to the Russian firm Nordgold in 2023 These moves reflect a shift away from traditional Western influence and towards regional solidarity with other Sahel military regimes.

Burkina Faso’s internal governance faces major challenges. The ongoing insurgency has forced authorities to cede control of large rural areas, creating humanitarian crises (about a quarter of the population is internally displaced by conflict Human-rights groups report concerns about arbitrary arrests under the junta. Poverty, limited education and health services, and rapid population growth strain public institutions. Decentralization programs have introduced elected local councils, but these have been disrupted by recruitment into the army and displacement of villagers in conflict zones. Overall, Burkina’s politics today are defined by instability, with a fragile military regime in control and the prospect of a return to civilian rule uncertain.

Economy

Burkina Faso has one of the smallest economies in Africa. It is classified as a low-income countries, with per-capita GDP on the order of a few hundred dollars (around \$800–900 by the early 2020s). More than four in ten people live in poverty and economic development is hampered by low education levels, poor infrastructure and chronic shocks. The economy is traditionally agrarian: roughly 75–80% of people make their living in rural farming and herding. However, agriculture contributes only about 30% of GDP The main subsistence crops are millet, sorghum, maize, rice and peanuts. Cotton is the country’s most important cash crop for export; Burkina is one of Sub-Saharan Africa’s largest cotton producers. Cotton farmers are sensitive to rainfall and world prices, so output can swing year to year Livestock herding (cattle, sheep, goats) is also vital to rural livelihoods.

The industrial economy is modest. Manufacturing is limited to food processing, textiles, and small-scale production of consumer goods. Services (trade, transport, government services) make up roughly half of GDP Economic growth rates have varied: before 2020 Burkina experienced robust growth (5–6% per year, fueled by reforms and higher gold prices but in 2022 growth fell sharply (to below 2%) after the coups. The International Monetary Fund and World Bank have projected gradual recovery to 4–6% growth by the mid-2020s, assuming security conditions improve.

One of Burkina’s main natural resources is gold. Since the 2010s, gold has overtaken cotton as the biggest foreign-exchange earner. Burkina Faso is Africa’s fourth-largest gold producer and second after Ghana in West Africa Dozens of industrial gold mines, mainly in the south and west, have attracted foreign investment. The government takes an estimated 15–20% of GDP from the mining sector. In 2025 the junta moved to increase national control over this wealth: it has nationalized some foreign-owned mines and created a state company (SOPAMIB) to run them aiming to “maximize gold revenues” for development. Burkina produced about 57 tons of gold in 2023, and set up a national gold reserve to stabilize income Artisanal gold mining (small-scale local miners) is also widespread, though it is often informal and environmentally damaging.

Burkina’s economy depends heavily on external conditions. Being landlocked, it incurs high transport costs for exports (using ports in Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire). It shares the CFA franc currency with seven other West African countries (pegged to the euro), which provides some monetary stability but ties Burkina to regional economic policies. Prices of cotton and gold on world markets significantly affect public revenues and rural incomes Climatic factors (rainfall variability, droughts) also have large impact on the mostly rainfed agricultural sector.

Daily life in Burkina Faso is still very poor by global standards. The Human Development Index ranks Burkina near the bottom worldwide Rural villages often lack reliable electricity, water supply and health clinics. Roads outside major towns are frequently unpaved. The literacy rate is low (around 40%, with a big gap between men and women) and many children don’t complete primary school. Malnutrition and malaria remain serious public health issues. Foreign aid and donor programs play a major role in education, health, and agriculture. Remittances from around Africa and Europe help some families. Microfinance and small-scale entrepreneurship are growing, but the private sector is still small.

In recent years, the economy has been disrupted by insecurity. Large rural areas have had crops left unharvested when villagers fled jihadist attacks; international firms have scaled back or paused operations in remote mining areas due to security risks Inflation has generally been modest, and the government has tried to contain deficits. In 2025 official forecasts anticipated moderate recovery (GDP up ~4–5%), aided by expected good harvests and reforms However, sustained growth will depend on restoring peace and engaging farmers and workers in development.

Demographics and Society

Burkina Faso’s people are ethnically and culturally diverse. The largest ethnic group are the Mossi (also called Moore or Moogo), who comprise about half the population Historical Mossi kingdoms once dominated central Burkina, and today Mossi culture (including the Mossi language, Moore) is dominant in politics and society. Other significant groups include the Fulani (Peulh, about 8–10%), Gurmanché (7%), Bobo (5%), Senufo (4%), Bissa (3.5%), Gurunsi (4%), Lobi (2–3%), Dagara, Dyula, and Tuareg/Bella, among others Each group has its own language and traditions. Together there are roughly 60 languages spoken in Burkina Faso, mostly from the Gur (Voltaic) and Mande branches of the Niger–Congo family; a smaller number (Fulfulde, Tamasheq/Tuareg) are Afro-Asiatic languages.

French is the official language (used in government, media and schools) but few people speak it as a first language. In practice, many Burkinabè are multilingual. Mooré (the Mossi language) is spoken by about half the population as a mother tongue Jula (Dioula, a trade language related to Bambara) is widely used for commerce. Other big languages include Fula, Gourmanché, Bissa, Dagara and Gurunsi dialects Literacy (the ability to read and write) is low: roughly 40% of adults are literate (about 50% of men, only 31% of women) School attendance rates have improved, but many children drop out early due to cost or distance to schools.

On religion, Burkina’s population is mostly Muslim. Around 60–65% of people are Sunni Muslims (often following the Maliki school) Muslim communities are found throughout the country, with a large mosque in each major town. Approximately one-quarter to one-third of Burkinabè are Christian (mostly Roman Catholic, along with Protestants and Evangelicals) The remaining people follow traditional indigenous beliefs or are non-religious. Traditional religion – often locally called animism – includes ancestor worship and nature spirit rituals; many people blend these practices with their Islam or Christianity. Overall Burkina is considered relatively tolerant; mosques, churches and shrines often coexist in the same villages. However, in recent years a hardline Islamist insurgency in the north has inflamed religious tensions and led to cycles of violence between extremists and local communities.

Family life in Burkina Faso is generally communal. Extended and polygamous families are common, especially in rural areas. Children are highly valued, which contributes to the high birth rate (about 5–6 children per woman Urbanization is increasing: only about a quarter of people lived in cities in 2019 but cities are growing fast. Ouagadougou’s metro area now has well over two million residents, with Bobo-Dioulasso (the second city) hosting nearly a million. Migrant workers travel seasonally to neighboring countries; there is also a significant diaspora community in Europe, especially France and Belgium, which sends remittances home.

Key social issues include education and health. Primary school enrollment has risen in recent decades, but secondary and higher education remain limited. Schools are often in French. Health infrastructure is sparse: many villages are far from clinics, and there are too few doctors/nurses. Child malnutrition, malaria and infectious diseases are major problems. Life expectancy is still low by world standards (around 60–65 years) and infant/child mortality rates are high. In short, Burkina Faso’s demographic profile is youthful and growing quickly, but many social indicators (education, health, sanitation) lag far behind those of wealthier nations.

Culture

Burkina Faso has a vibrant cultural life rooted in its diverse ethnic traditions. Music and dance play a key role across communities. Traditional instruments like the balafon (xylophone), kora (harp), djembe and other drums are widely used. Each ethnic group has distinctive musical styles and festival ceremonies. For example, the Wassulu (also called Bobo) people of the southwest are known for their ancient masquerade dances (with large carved masks and heavy costumes) during funerals, initiation rites and annual festivals. The Gurunsi peoples are famous for colorful, elaborately painted huts, and their traditional dances often feature wooden flutes and fiddles. Many communities hold annual festivals to pray for a good harvest or to honor ancestors, involving drumming, singing and feasting. Since independence, modern popular music has also taken root; the capital Ouagadougou saw the rise of Afrobeat, reggae and coupé-décalé styles, and local artists blend global trends with local languages.

Burkina Faso is especially famous internationally for its cinema and visual arts. Ouagadougou hosts FESPACO (the Pan-African Film and TV Festival of Ouagadougou), held every two years. FESPACO is the largest film festival on the African continent and attracts filmmakers from across Africa and the diaspora. Burkina Faso has produced several well-known African directors and actors. The country also has a strong tradition of craftsmanship: artisans produce woven textiles (cotton cloth dyed in traditional patterns), pottery, leatherwork and wood sculptures (often with symbolic or ancestral motifs). The Bobo and Lobi peoples, for example, are noted for their striking wooden statues and masks, which are collected by museums worldwide.

In everyday culture, traditional housing, clothing and cuisine persist alongside modern influences. In villages many families still live in round mud-brick huts with thatched roofs. National dress often includes brightly woven cotton cloth (“faso dan fani” in the national language, meaning “woven cloth of the homeland”), which is used to sew long skirts, tunics and headwraps. Social life includes polygamous family structures and extended kin networks; community solidarity is very important in rural areas. Major life events—births, marriages, funerals—are marked by large gatherings with food, music and dance.

Traditional cuisine often centers on cereals: a staple is tô, a stiff porridge made from millet, sorghum or maize flour, served with sauces (groundnut, okra or leaf sauces). Rice dishes and grilled meats are also popular. Local beverages include millet or sorghum beers and fruit juices. French colonial influence remains in the language (French is the medium of instruction) and in some dishes (e.g. baguette bread is common as a snack, and coffee or soft drinks are popular in towns). Yet despite modern influences, indigenous beliefs still inform much of daily life. Many farmers practice animist rituals to bless the fields, and there are numerous shrines and sacred groves around the countryside.

Burkinabé culture also includes a rich tradition of oral literature. Stories, proverbs and historical epics are traditionally passed down by griots (praise singers) and elders. The legendary tale of Yennenga (the daughter of a Mossi founder) is a national origin myth taught to children. In education and media today there is a growing emphasis on preserving local heritage: radio programs in native languages, cultural museums in cities, and school curricula that teach about Burkina’s diverse folk cultures.

In sports and national symbols, football (soccer) is hugely popular, and the national team Les Étalons (the Stallions) has sometimes performed well in African competitions, stirring patriotic pride. Burkina’s flag is red-black-green with a yellow star, reflecting the flag of former President Sankara and symbolizing revolution (red), mineral wealth (gold star), and agricultural fertility (green). Independence Day (August 5) and Revolution Day (August 4, commemorating Sankara’s 1983 coup) are major public holidays.

Overall, Burkinabé culture is noted for hospitality, craftsmanship and resilience. Despite economic hardship, music, art and community life remain sources of joy and identity for the people.

Environment

Burkina Faso’s environment is typical of the West African Sahel and Sudan–Savanna zones. Key challenges arise from its climate and geography. One major issue is desertification: over the past century, parts of northern and central Burkina have seen vegetation cover thin and soils degrade. This is due to a combination of factors: population growth forcing cultivation of marginal lands, unsustainable farming methods, overgrazing and deforestation for firewood As a result, formerly productive farmland can become unproductive. The government and NGOs have responded with reforestation programs (planting drought-resistant trees), anti-erosion measures (stone bunds and terraces), and promoting agroforestry. The legendary farmer Yacouba Sawadogo of Burkina showed how digging small planting pits (“zai” holes) and using manure can revive degraded plots and grow millet again. Such grassroots practices, along with national participation in the “Great Green Wall” Sahel initiative, aim to restore resilience to the land.

Water scarcity is another concern. Burkina has no large lakes, and most rivers are seasonal or only flow strongly during the rainy season. The Volta rivers are the main perennial sources, but water is often limited. Many communities rely on wells and hand pumps. Recurrent droughts (like those of the 1970s-80s) cause frequent crop failures and food crises. Expanding irrigation is constrained by limited water availability. On the positive side, Burkina has made efforts to improve rural water access and water conservation (rainwater harvesting, small dams), but climate variability means that flood years and drought years still alternate unpredictably.

Climate change is expected to intensify Burkina Faso’s environmental stresses. Climate models predict hotter temperatures and possibly less dependable rains on average. The government has prepared a National Adaptation Plan to build climate resilience, focusing on agriculture (drought-tolerant seeds, diversified crops), reforestation and disaster preparedness. However, implementation has been hampered by political instability and limited funding.

Despite these challenges, Burkina Burkina continues to protect its natural heritage. In the cooler, wetter southwest lies a region of wooded savanna with higher rainfall and richer soils: for example, the Comoé Forest on the Ivorian border extends into Burkina and is classified as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve. The southwestern border region contains part of the WAP complex (W-Arly-Pendjari parks), which is recognized by UNESCO for its transboundary conservation of savanna wildlife In these parks and reserves, elephants, buffalo, antelopes and many bird species still survive, although poaching and encroachment have reduced populations. Extra efforts (from both government ranger programs and international conservation groups) are in place to protect the remaining wildlife and habitats.

Pollution and industrial waste are relatively minor issues compared to many countries, given the low level of heavy industry. However, small-scale gold mining (which often uses mercury) has caused local water contamination. The government is trying to regulate artisanal mining to reduce environmental harm. Urban areas face typical problems: Ouagadougou has issues with traffic pollution, unplanned waste disposal, and occasional cholera outbreaks when sanitation fails. But overall, Burkina’s environmental priority lies in managing rural land and climate impacts.