The village of Laongo is home to an open-air sculpture museum, where artists from around the world carve artworks directly into natural granite formations.
Burkina Faso
Burkina FasoWestern Africa-4:00Hours behind the UAE
About the Country
General Information
National Identity
Official Language(s)Indigenous languages (e.g., Moore, Dioula, Fulfulde)
National CurrencyWest African CFA Franc (XOF)
National Day(s)5 August (Independence Day)
11 December (National Day / Republic Day)
Capitals
Political / Administrative CapitalOuagadougou
Economic CapitalBobo-Dioulasso
Cultural CapitalBobo-Dioulasso
Transport & Connectivity
Flight Duration from the UAE≈ 9 – 11 h
Connecting flights
Primary AirportOuagadougou International Airport (OUA)
Primary PortNone (landlocked)
Geography
Land Area-
Length of the Coastline0 km (landlocked)
Highest PointMount Tenakourou (747 m)
Primary Inland Water Body / RiverVolta River Basin: the Black Volta (Mouhoun, the longest river), the White Volta (Nakambe) and the Red Volta (Nazinon)
ClimateTropical savanna, with a dry north and a wetter south
Border Countries
BeninCote d’IvoireGhanaMaliNigerTogo
6Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Key Facts
The national flag features a yellow star representing the guiding light of the nation between red and green stripes.
Thomas Sankara renamed the country from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso in 1984.
Burkina Faso hosts FESPACO, one of the largest African film festivals, in Ouagadougou.
The Ruins of Loropeni are more than 1,000 years old and are the country’s first UNESCO World Heritage Site.
The Sindou Peaks in southwestern Burkina Faso are dramatic sandstone formations sculpted into natural towers and cones by centuries of erosion.
Faso Dan Fani, a traditional handwoven fabric, is a symbol of national identity and pride.
The Royal Court of Tiebele is renowned for its traditional earthen buildings decorated with intricate geometric patterns by Kassena women.
Burkina Faso’s national symbol and animal, the white stallion, is linked to the legend of Princess Yennenga, a warrior princess.
Burkina Faso has one of the youngest populations in Africa.
Traditional weekly markets remain important centres for trade and social life across the country.
Burkina Faso’s traditional Sapone hats are produced through a craft in which women and children typically weave the basic hats, while men specialize in decoration.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Economic Overview
Macroeconomic Snapshot
GDP, current prices-USD Billions
Real GDP growth-Annual percent change (%)
GDP per capita, current prices-USD per capita
Population-Millions of people
General government gross debt-% of GDP
Income levelWorld Bank classification-
Economic Comparison
| Indicator |  UAE | Burkina FasoUAE | |
|---|---|---|---|
| GDP, current pricesUSD Billions | - | - | |
| GDP, PPPCurrent int$ | - | - | |
| Real GDP growthAnnual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| GDP per capita, current pricesUSD per capita | - | - | |
| PopulationMillions of people | - | - | |
| Unemployment rate% of total labor force | - | - | |
| Inflation rate (avg. consumer prices)Annual percent change (%) | - | - | |
| General government gross debt% of GDP | - | - | |
| Income levelWorld Bank classification | - | - |
Foreign Trade
No data available for this section yet.
Political Overview
Leadership
H.E. Captain Ibrahim Traore
Since October 2022
H.E. Rimtalba Jean Emmanuel Ouedraogo
Since December 2024
H.E. Karamoko Jean-Marie Traore
Since December 2023
H.E. Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo
Since October 2022
H.E. Serge Gnaniodem Poda
Since November 2022
H.E. Major General Celestin Simpore
Since December 2024
Political Summary
Political System
Military Regime
Military-led government under the Charter of the Revolution. President Ibrahim Traore heads the state under the institutional framework of the Progressive Popular Revolution (RPP).
Ruling Party
-
Main Opposition Force(s)
-
Next Presidential Election
Expected by July 2029 (originally scheduled for 2024; the military government extended military rule by five years starting 2 July 2024)
Next Legislative Election
No fixed date announced; to be held as part of the elections concluding the current political period
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Membership in Key Organizations and Blocs
50Organizations
27Member
3Founding Member
7Partner, Observer or Participant
13Not a Member
No organisation matches.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Official websites of the respective organizations
Competitiveness Indexes
| Index | Year | Rank Out of | Burkina Faso | UAE |
|---|
No index matches.
Bilateral Relations
Diplomatic Relations and Representation
Date of Establishment of Diplomatic Relations16 Jan 197848 years of relations
UAE Ambassador
H.E. Yousef Saif Khamis Subaa Al AliUAE Ambassador to Burkina Faso · Non-residentForeign Ambassador
H.E. Dr. Souleymane KonateAmbassador of Burkina Faso to the UAE · ResidentLast Updated: October 2026Source: MoFA; Internal Research
Flights by UAE Carriers
Passenger Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Passenger Flights
EYEtihad Airways0
EKEmirates0
FZflydubai0
G9Air Arabia0
Cargo Flights
October 2026 figures0Total Weekly Cargo Flights
EYEtihad Cargo0
EKEmirates SkyCargo0
Last Updated: October 2026Source: GCAA
Consular Information
Tourists | Residents | Students | Golden Visa Holders | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Burkina Faso Nationalsin the UAE | - | - | - | - |
UAE Citizensin Burkina Faso | - | - | - | - |
Main Agreements and MoUs
| Agreement / MOU | Status | Notes |
|---|---|---|
CEPAComprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement | Not Signed | - |
IPPAInvestment Protection and Promotion Agreement | Not Signed | - |
DTADouble Taxation Avoidance Agreement | Ratified | Signed on 28 Jan 2020.Entered into force on 21 Dec 2020. |
ASAAir Services Agreement | Signed | Signed on 7 Mar 2015. |
Ratified— Signed and entered into force
Signed— Signed, but entry into force or ratification is pending
Not Signed— No signed agreement exists
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
UAE Foreign Assistance
| UAE Aid to Burkina Faso | Total Amount |
|---|---|
| Amount (USD Mn) | - |
Bilateral Visits
Official Visits from the UAE
- H.E. Sheikh Shakhboot bin Nahyan Al NahyanMinister of StateMay2025
- H.H. Sheikh Abdullah bin Zayed Al NahyanMinister of Foreign AffairsApr2009
- H.E. Reem bint Ebrahim Al HashimyMinister of StateApr2009
Official Visits to the UAE
- H.E. Karamoko Jean-Marie TraoreMinister of Foreign Affairs, Regional Cooperation, and Burkinabe Abroad of Burkina FasoJul2025
- H.E. Serge Gnaniodem PodaMinister of Industrial Development, Commerce, Handicrafts, and SMEs of Burkina FasoJul2025
- H.E. Yacouba Zabre GoubaMinister of Mines and Energy of Burkina FasoJul2025
- H.E. Roger BarroMinister of Environment, Water, and Sanitation of Burkina FasoDec2023
- H.E. Serge Gnaniodem PodaMinister of Industrial Development, Commerce, Handicrafts, and SMEs of Burkina FasoMay2023
- H.E. Roch Marc Christian KaborePresident of Burkina FasoJan2020
- H.E. Alpha BarryMinister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation of Burkina FasoAug2019
- H.E. Roch Marc Christian KaborePresident of Burkina FasoApr2019
The officials’ titles shown reflect the positions held at the time of the visit.
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Trade
Non-Oil Bilateral Trade
-
Rank Among UAE's Trade Partners
-Non-oil trade partner of the UAE
-Source of UAE imports
-Destination for UAE exports
-Destination for UAE re‑exports
Key Trade Commodities
-
Foreign Direct Investment Flows
FDI Inflows (Into the UAE)-
Jan 2021 – Sep 2026
FDI Outflows (UAE Abroad)237.6USD Millions
Capex and jobs data include estimated values.
Last Updated: November 2026Source: fDi Markets
Major Companies and Investments
Major Burkinabe Companies in the UAE
Kaberto Khalifa InvestmentInvestment
Major UAE Companies in Burkina Faso
Mubadala Investment Company-
DP World-
Masdar-
Last Updated: October 2026Source: Internal Research
Business Support
Joint Business Council(s)-
Cooperation Opportunities
Priority level: HIGH / MEDIUM / EMERGING, based on overall attractiveness to the UAE.
Last Updated: September 2026Source: Internal Research