Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km² (105,878 sq mi). In 2024, the country had an estimated population of approximately 23,286,000.

After independence, it was called the Republic of Upper Volta from 1958 to 1984. It was renamed Burkina Faso by then-president Thomas Sankara. Its citizens are known as Burkinabes, and its capital and largest city is Ouagadougou.

The largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso is the Mossi people, who settled the area in the 11th and 13th centuries. They established kingdoms such as Ouagadougou, Tenkodogo, and Yatenga. In 1896, it was colonized by the French as part of French West Africa; in 1958, Upper Volta became a self-governing colony within the French Community.

Since gaining independence in 1960, the country has faced political instability, droughts, famines, and corruption. There have been several coups over the years. Burkina Faso remains one of the least developed countries in the world, with a GDP of $16.226 billion in 2022.

The country is governed as a semi-presidential republic, with executive, legislative, and judicial powers. It is a member of the United Nations, La Francophonie, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. On 18 January 2024, Burkina Faso announced its exit from ECOWAS and was suspended from the African Union.

Etymology

Burkina Faso used to be called the Republic of Upper Volta. On August 4, 1984, President Thomas Sankara changed the name to Burkina Faso. The name has special meanings. "Burkina" comes from the Mooré language and means "upright," showing the pride people have in their integrity. "Faso" comes from the Dyula language and means "fatherland," or "father's house." Together, the country’s name means "Land of the Honest (Incorruptible) Men."

History

Main article: History of Burkina Faso

Early history

The northwestern part of what is now Burkina Faso was home to people who collected tools and hunted from 14,000 BC to 5,000 BC. Their tools were found during digging in 1973. Farming began between 3600 and 2600 BC. The Bura culture was an ancient society centered in southwest Niger and southeast Burkina Faso. Iron was used to make tools and weapons in Africa by 1200 BC. The oldest iron tools found in Burkina Faso are from 800 to 700 BC.

From the 3rd to the 13th centuries AD, the Bura culture lived in what is now southeastern Burkina Faso. Many groups, such as the Mossi, Fula, and Dioula, arrived between the 8th and 15th centuries. The Mossi people created several kingdoms starting in the 11th century.

8th to 18th centuries

There is debate about when Burkina Faso's groups arrived. The Mossi came to the east between the 8th and 11th centuries and accepted Islam in the 11th century. The Samo arrived around the 15th century. The Dogon lived in the north and northwest until the 15th or 16th centuries.

During the Middle Ages, the Mossi created kingdoms such as Tenkodogo, Yatenga, Zandoma, and Ouagadougou. In the early 1500s, Mossi warriors attacked Timbuktu but were defeated by Sonni Ali of Songhai in 1483.

In the 18th century, the Gwiriko Empire was created at Bobo Dioulasso. Groups like the Dyan, Lobi, and Birifor settled along the Black Volta.

From colony to independence (1890s–1958)

In the early 1890s, European officers tried to take control of parts of Burkina Faso. France invaded the area and made it a protectorate in 1896. By 1898, most of the land was under French control.

The French made rules that unfairly favored colonists, such as not allowing African children to ride bicycles. People who broke these rules could be jailed.

In 1919, French Upper Volta was created. The French changed its borders several times. In 1958, it became self-governing as the Republic of Upper Volta and gained full independence in 1960.

Upper Volta (1958–1984)

The Republic of Upper Volta was established in 1958. It became fully independent in 1960. The first president was Maurice Yaméogo. He banned other political parties. In 1966, a military coup removed him.

Lieutenant Colonel Sangoulé Lamizana took control. He faced droughts and famines. In 1980, Colonel Saye Zerbo overthrew Lamizana. In 1982, Major Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo took power.

Burkina Faso (since 1984)

In 1984, the country changed its name from "Upper Volta" to "Burkina Faso." Captain Thomas Sankara led the government. He started many programs to improve health, education, and farming. He also worked to protect the environment by planting many trees.

In 1987, Blaise Compaoré took power in a coup. He changed many of Sankara's policies. In 2014, protests led to Compaoré leaving office.

Kaboré presidency and conflicts (2015–2023)

In 2015, Roch Marc Christian Kaboré became president. In 2020, he was re-elected. Starting in 2015, attacks by armed groups began. These attacks increased over the years, causing many deaths and displacing many people.

2022 coups

In January 2022, soldiers took control and removed President Kaboré. Lieutenant Colonel Paul-Henri Sandaogo Damiba became interim president. In September 2022, Damiba was removed in another coup led by Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who became president. The country continues to face challenges with armed conflicts and political changes.

Geography

Main article: Geography of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It is mostly found between latitudes 9° and 15° N, and longitudes 6° W and 3° E. The country has two main types of landscapes. Most of it is a gently rolling plain with a few isolated hills. The southwest has a sandstone area with the highest peak, Ténakourou, at 749 meters tall.

The land was once called Upper Volta because of three rivers that flow through it: the Black Volta, the White Volta, and the Red Volta. The Niger River also drains part of the country. Burkina Faso has many lakes and ponds, but water can be scarce, especially in the north.

Burkina Faso has a tropical climate with rainy and dry seasons. The rainy season lasts about four months, from May to September, while the dry season brings a hot wind called the harmattan. The north gets less rain and has very high temperatures. The country has three climate zones: the Sahel, the Sudan-Sahel, and the Sudan-Guinea.

The country’s natural resources include gold, manganese, limestone, marble, phosphates, pumice, and salt.

Further information: Wildlife of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is home to many animals, including a larger number of elephants than many other West African countries. Lions, leopards, buffalo, cheetahs, and hyenas also live here. The country protects its animals and plants in four national parks and several reserves.

Government and politics

Main article: Politics of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has a government where the president and parliament share power. The president is elected for a certain number of years and can serve only a limited time. The parliament has one group of representatives who are chosen by voters for five years.

The country is divided into areas called regions, provinces, and departments, each led by a governor. Burkina Faso works with many groups around the world to help with development and safety. The army and police help keep the country secure, with different groups handling various tasks like protecting the president or keeping order in towns.

Economy

Main article: Economy of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is one of the least developed countries in the world. Its economy depends mostly on farming and raising animals. Over 80% of people work in farming, with only a few involved in industry or services. The country gets help from other countries, even though it has lots of gold.

Burkina Faso's economy has been growing. In 2024, it grew by 4.9%, up from 3.0% in 2023. This growth is thanks to better farming, services, and safer conditions. However, prices for things like food went up, making them harder for people to afford. Many people still live with very little money.

Agriculture is very important, making up about 32% of the country's money made. People grow crops like sorghum, pearl millet, and maize, and they also raise animals. Cotton is a key crop sold for money.

Mining is also important. Burkina Faso mines copper, iron, manganese, gold, and other minerals. Gold used to be a big part of the country's money, but production has gone down because of safety problems.

The country’s trade has changed over time. In 2023, it sold goods worth $5.87 billion but bought goods worth $7.31 billion, spending more than it earned. The economy faces challenges like weather changes and safety issues, which can affect farming and trade.

Demographics

Main article: Demographics of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a country where many people live together peacefully. Most people live in the southern and central parts, where it can get very crowded with up to 48 people living in each square kilometre (120/sq mi). Many people travel to nearby countries like Ivory Coast and Ghana to work during farming seasons. Sometimes, big events in those countries cause many to return home to Burkina Faso.

In 2024, it was estimated that, on average, women in Burkina Faso have about 4 children.

Ethnic groups

Main article: Ethnic groups in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has about 23 million people who belong to two big groups: the Voltaic and the Mandé. The largest group is the Mossi, making up about half the population. They are mainly farmers and have a long history dating back over 800 years. They are led by a leader called the Mogho Naba, who lives in the capital city, Ouagadougou. There are also about 5,000 people from Europe living in the country.

Languages

Further information: Languages of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has many languages! About 69 different languages are spoken there. The most common language is Mooré, spoken by around half of the people, especially around the capital, Ouagadougou. French used to be the main language for government work, but now the country is using more of its own languages too. Other widely spoken languages include Fula, Gourmanché, Bambara, and Bissa.

Religion

Main article: Religion in Burkina Faso

Most people in Burkina Faso follow Islam, making up about 64% of the population. Many of these people are Sunni Muslims. About 26% of the people are Christians, mostly Roman Catholics and some Protestants. Around 9% follow traditional beliefs passed down through generations. A small number follow other religions or none at all.

Health

Main article: Health in Burkina Faso

In 2016, people in Burkina Faso lived on average about 60 years. Many children unfortunately pass away before turning five. In 2024, the country’s population was growing quickly, with the average age being just 18 years. Health services are limited, with very few doctors available—only about 10 for every 100,000 people. Diseases like Dengue fever can happen sometimes. In 2024, Burkina Faso was ranked near the bottom in a measure of hunger worldwide.

Education

Main article: Education in Burkina Faso

Children in Burkina Faso are supposed to go to school from age 6 to 16, but many cannot because schools are scarce, especially in rural areas, and families often cannot afford costs. Education is free by law, but families still need to pay for supplies and buildings. Boys are more likely to go to school than girls, though efforts are being made to help girls attend more. To move to the next level of school, students must pass exams.

The main universities are in Ouagadougou, with smaller ones in Bobo-Dioulasso and Koudougou. Many families cannot afford to send their children to these schools. In 2023, only about 12% of young men were enrolled in university-level education. There is also an international school in Ouagadougou for families who prefer an American-style education.

Food insecurity

Burkina Faso has struggled with not having enough food. In 2013, a special tool showed that the country needed help to keep people from going hungry. Many children, over 1.5 million, are at risk of not getting enough food. Only a small part of them get the help they need.

The country also faces problems with not enough good food, especially for young children and pregnant women. This makes it hard for children to grow well and can affect their school learning. In some places, especially in the countryside, people have a harder time getting help because there are fewer doctors and health workers.

Different groups, like the United Nations’ World Food Programme and the World Bank, are working to help. They give food to schools and work with families to make sure everyone has enough to eat, even when there are problems like dry weather or floods. In April 2026, India sent rice to help families who needed it most.

Culture

Main article: Culture of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has a rich culture based on oral traditions, which are very important. In 1934, a book called Maxims, Thoughts and Riddles of the Mossi was published, sharing stories and history from the Mossi people.

Theatre in Burkina Faso mixes traditional performances with influences from French culture. Traditional ceremonies often include dancing and masks. Western-style theatre became popular during colonial times, and after independence, new styles of theatre were created to educate and entertain people in rural areas.

Slam poetry is becoming more popular, with poets like Malika Outtara using their words to talk about important issues such as blood donation and health matters.

Arts and crafts

Main article: Art of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has many talented artists, especially in Ouagadougou. The country is known for its handmade crafts, which are often made for tourists. The International Art and Craft Fair in Ouagadougou, called SIAO, is a big event for showcasing these crafts.

Music

Main article: Music of Burkina Faso

Music in Burkina Faso comes from many different groups of people. The Mossi people, who live around Ouagadougou, make up a large part of the population. Other groups include the Gurunsi, Gurma, Dagaaba, Lobi, Fulani, and Mande-speaking peoples. Traditional music is still very popular, and there is also music in French that many people enjoy.

Media

Main articles: Media of Burkina Faso and Communications in Burkina Faso

The main radio and television service in Burkina Faso is called Radio Télévision du Burkina (RTB). It broadcasts on different frequencies. There are also private radio stations that play sports, music, and other programs.

Cinema

Main article: Cinema of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso has an important place in African cinema. The country started with the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) in 1969. Many filmmakers from Burkina Faso are known around the world.

Cuisine

Main article: Cuisine of Burkina Faso

Food in Burkina Faso is similar to other West African countries. Common foods include sorghum, millet, rice, maize, peanuts, potatoes, beans, yams, and okra. Chicken, eggs, and fish are popular protein sources. Traditional drinks include banji (fermented palm sap) and zoom-kom (a milky cereal drink). In rural areas, dolo (fermented millet drink) is also enjoyed.

Cultural festivals and events

Ouagadougou hosts the Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou (FESPACO) every two years, which is a big event for African cinema. The International Art and Craft Fair (SIAO) happens every two years in October and November. Other events include the National Culture Week in Bobo Dioulasso and the Festival International des Masques et des Arts (FESTIMA) celebrating traditional masks.

Sports

Main article: Sport in Burkina Faso

Many people in Burkina Faso enjoy sports such as football, basketball, cycling, and more. Football is the most popular, and the national team is called "Les Etalons." Burkina Faso hosted the Africa Cup of Nations in 1998 and reached the final in 2013. In 2020, Hugues Fabrice Zango won the country’s first Olympic medal, a bronze in the men’s triple jump.