Burkina Faso - Country Profile

General Information:

Area: 274,200 sq km (105,870 sq miles).

Population: 12,624,000 (UN estimate 2002).

Population Density: 46 per sq km (2002).

Capital: Ouagadougou.Population: 709,736 (1996).

GEOGRAPHY: Burkina Faso is situated in West Africa and bordered to the north and west by Mali, to the east by Niger, to the southeast by Benin and to the south by Togo, Ghana and Côte d’Ivoire. The southern part of the country, less arid than the north, is wooded savannah, gradually drying out into sand and desert in the north. The Sahara desert is relentlessly moving south, however, stripping the savannah lands of trees and slowly turning the thin layer of cultivatable soil into sun-blackened rock-hard lakenite. Three great rivers, the Mouhoun, Nazinon and Nakambé (Black, Red and White Volta), water the great plains. The population does not live in the valleys along the river banks due to the diseases prevalent there.

Government: Republic. Gained independence from France in 1960. Changed its name from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso (Land of Dignity) in 1984. Head of State: President Blaise Compaoré since 1987. Head of Government: Prime Minister Paramanga Ernest Yonli since 2000.

Language: The official language is French. Several other languages such as Mossi, Mooré, Dioula, Peul, Fulfuldé and Gourmantché are also spoken.

Religion: More than 50 per cent follow animist beliefs; 30 per cent are Muslim and fewer than 12 per cent Christian (mostly Roman Catholic).

Telephone: IDD is available. Country code: 226. Outgoing international code: 00.

Mobile telephone: GSM 900 networks operated by Celtel Burkina Faso (website: www.msi-cellular.com), Onatel (website: www.onatel.bf) and Telecel Faso SA (website: www.telecelfaso.bf). Coverage available in the five main towns. Handsets can be hired (against a large deposit); contact Onatel for further information.

Internet: Available in some hotels and Internet cafes. There are three Internet cafes in Ouagadougou and one in Bobo Dioulassou. ISPs include Cenatrin (website: www.cenatrin.bf) and FasoNet. Power cuts can hamper Internet usage.

Telegram: There are limited facilities outside Ouagadougou. Main hotels have facilities.

Post: There are few post offices, but stamps can often be bought at hotels. Poste Restante facilities are available but a charge is made for letters collected. There is no local delivery, and all other mail must be addressed to a box number. Airmail to Europe takes up to 2 weeks. Post office opening hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1500-1730. The main post office in the capital is open Mon-Sat 0830-1200 and 1500-1830.

Press: French-language only. The main daily newspapers are L'Express du Faso, L’Observateur Paalga, Le Pays and Sidwaya Quotidien.

Radio: BBC World Service (website: www.bbc.co.uk/worldservice) and Voice of America (website: www.voa.gov) can be received. From time to time the frequencies change and the most up-to-date can be found online.

PASSPORTS: Valid passport required by all except nationals of Benin, Cape Verde, Côte d’Ivoire, The Gambia, Ghana, Guinea, Guinea-Bissau, Liberia, Mali, Mauritania, Niger, Nigeria, Senegal, Sierra Leone and Togo holding national identity cards.

(b) those persons continuing their journey within 24 hours to another country, provided holding onward tickets and the appropriate travel documents and not leaving the airport.

Types of visa and cost: Tourist, Business and Transit. Visa costs vary with the exchange rate. Visitors should contact the nearest Embassy for up-to-date prices.

Validity: Visas are usually valid for 3 months from the date of entry and permit multiple entry.

Application to: Nearest Consulate (or Consular Section at Embassy); see Contact Addresses section.

Application requirements: (a) Valid passport. (b) Three application forms. (c) Three passport-size photos. (d) Fee of €26 payable in cash or by postal order only, or €48 for a longer stay of up to 12 months. (e) Registered, stamped, self-addressed envelope for postal applications, plus €5. (f) Company letter if on business.

Working days required: Visas can be granted within 1 day if papers are in order.

Temporary residence: Application to be made to the Central Government of Burkina Faso. Enquire at Consulate or Embassy for further information.

Currency: CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Burkina Faso is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Credit & debit cards: Diners Club and MasterCard have limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available.

Travellers cheques: To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travellers are advised to take travellers cheques in Euros or US Dollars. Banks often require proof of purchase, so all receipts should be kept as a precautionary measure. It is advised to take at least some Euros in cash.

Currency restrictions: No restrictions on import of local or foreign currency, provided declared on arrival. The export of local and foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared for non-residents.

Exchange rate indicators: The following figures are included as a guide to the movements of the CFA Franc against Sterling and the US Dollar:

Duty-Free: The following items may be imported into Burkina Faso by persons over 15 years of age without incurring customs duty:

200 cigarettes or 25 cigars or 100 cigarillos or 250g of tobacco; 0.75l of spirits and 0.75l of wine; 500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume.

Note: Permission from the Ministry of Administration is required for the use of photo-, film- or video cameras.

Public Holidays: Jan 1 2004 New Year’s Day. Jan 3 Anniversary of the 1966 Coup d’État. Feb 2 Aid El Kébir (Feast of the Sacrifice). Feb 22 El am Hejir (New Year). Mar 8 Women’s Day. Apr 12 Easter Monday. May 1 Labour Day. May 2 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 20 Ascension. Aug 4 Revolution Day. Aug 5 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 15 Anniversary of the 1987 Coup d’État. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 14-16 Aid El Segheir (End of Ramadan). Dec 11 Proclamation of the Republic. Dec 25 Christmas. Jan 1 2005 New Year’s Day. Jan 3 Anniversary of the 1966 Coup d’État. Feb 10 El am Hejir (New Year). Feb 21 Aid El Kébir (Feast of the Sacrifice). Mar 8 Women’s Day. Mar 28 Easter Monday. Apr 21 Mouloud (Birth of the Prophet). May 1 Labour Day. May 5 Ascension. Aug 4 Revolution Day. Aug 5 Independence Day. Aug 15 Assumption. Oct 15 Anniversary of the 1987 Coup d’État. Nov 1 All Saints’ Day. Nov 3-5 Aid El Segheir (End of Ramadan). Dec 11 Proclamation of the Republic. Dec 25 Christmas.

Note: Muslim festivals are timed according to local sightings of various phases of the moon and the dates given above are approximations. During the lunar month of Ramadan that precedes Aid El Segheir, Muslims fast during the day and feast at night, and normal business patterns may be interrupted. Many restaurants are closed during the day and there may be restrictions on smoking and drinking. Some disruption may continue into Aid El Segheir itself. Aid El Segheir and Aid El Kébir may last anything from 2 to 10 days, depending on the region. For more information, refer to the World of Islam appendix.

1: A yellow fever vaccination certificate is required from all travellers over 1 year of age. High risk areas are rural areas, and particularly the Poni province. As of June 2004, the vector for Yellow Fever, Aedes aegypti, has already been located in the urban Bobo-Dioulasso district, and until the imminent advent of the rainy season, there is a high risk of a sharp increase in being infected by yellow fever in this area. Vaccinations against the A, C and W135 strains are highly recommended.

2: Following WHO guidelines issued in 1973, a cholera vaccination certificate is no longer a condition of entry to Burkina Faso. However, cholera is a serious risk in this country and precautions are essential. Up-to-date advice should be sought before deciding whether these precautions should include vaccination as medical opinion is divided over its effectiveness; see the Health appendix.

4: Malaria risk exists all year throughout the country, predominantly in the malignant falciparum form. Resistance to chloroquine has been reported. A weekly dose of 250mg of mefloquine is the recommended prophylaxis.

Food & drink: Water is scarce and all found water should be regarded as being potentially contaminated. Drinking water outside main cities and towns is likely to be contaminated and sterilisation is considered essential. Milk is unpasteurised and should be boiled. Powdered or tinned milk is available and is advised, but make sure that it is reconstituted with pure water. Avoid all dairy products made from unboiled milk. Only eat well-cooked meat and fish, preferably served hot. Pork, salad and mayonnaise may carry increased risk. Vegetables should be cooked and fruit peeled.

Other risks: Bilharzia (schistosomiasis) is present. Avoid swimming and paddling in fresh water; swimming pools that are well chlorinated and maintained are safe. Onchoerciasis (river blindness) and trypanosomiasis (sleeping sickness) occur. Vaccination against meningococcal meningitis, tetanus and hepatitis A is recommended. Meningitis had its most recent widespread attack in Burkina Faso in March 2004, when 527 deaths occurred throughout four districts in the epidemic threshold: Diébougou, Gaoua, Naonoro and Zabré. Hepatitis B is hyperendemic. Hepatitis E, TB and dengue fever occur. HIV/Aids is prevalent. The hot, dusty environment can exacerbate breathing problems.

Rabies is present. For those at high risk, vaccination before arrival should be considered. If you are bitten, seek medical advice without delay. For more information, consult the Health appendix.

Note: Although the vast majority of visits to Burkina Faso are trouble-free, following an alleged (though now quieted) attempt to overthrow the government in October 2003, there has been trouble in the Côte d'Ivoire/Burkina Faso border (forced to close), and crisis-related refugee movements there.

AIR: Burkina Faso’s national airline is Air Burkina (2J). Other airlines serving Burkina Faso include Air Algérie, Air France and Air Ivoire. There are regular flights from Paris and Brussels to Ouagadougou.

Approximate flight times: There are no direct flights from the UK or the USA. To Ouagadougou from London (via Paris) is 8 hours 15 minutes; from New York (via Paris) is 12 hours 20 minutes.

International airports: Ouagadougou (OUA) is 8km (5 miles) from the city. Taxi and bus services are available to the city. Airport facilities include banks, post office, shops, restaurants and car hire. Borgo, 16km (10 miles) from Bobo Dioulasso, handles mainly domestic flights (see Travel – Internal).

RAIL: The only route is the international line from Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire running through to Ouagadougou. There are around three trains a week between the two capitals. The line has recently been taken over by a French company. Work is underway to extend the line from Ouagadougou to Tambao on the Mali border, but this project may have to be cancelled to meet foreign debt requirements.

ROAD: Routes are from Benin, Côte d’Ivoire, Ghana, Mali, Niger and Togo although these are often barely adequate. Regular bus services run during the dry season, from Bobo to Bamako in Mali, and from Ouagadougou to Niamey in Niger and to Abidjan in Côte d’Ivoire. The road from Ghana is being improved. Bush taxis also serve most routes.

AIR: Borgo, 16km (10 miles) from Bobo Dioulasso, is the principal domestic airport. Flights run to Bamako, Bouake and Tambao on Air Volta. Air taxis are available. Passenger and postal flights are also operated by Air Inter-Burkina.

ROAD: In general, roads are impassable during the rainy season (July to September). Police checkpoints are a common cause of delays. Traffic drives on the right. It is inadvisable to drive at night, as there are few street lights and some vehicles do not have headlights. Visitors should be aware that there have been recent incidents involving armed groups stopping vehicles to rob them in the north of the country (including the Gorom-Gorom to Djibo road in February 2004). Bus: Buses and vans are called cars in Burkina Faso. Regular bus services are operated in the dry season to all major towns and it is necessary to book at least 48 hours in advance. These buses are also cheap and plentiful. Taxi: Shared taxis are available in major centres; fares are negotiable. Car hire: Available from hotels in Ouagadougou. Car hire is still a recent phenomenon in Burkina Faso, and vehicles may be in poor condition. Visitors are therefore advised to lease cars for a day or two before committing themselves to a longer contract. Chauffeur-driven cars are also available. Documentation: A temporary licence to drive is available from local authorities on presentation of a valid national driving licence, but an International Driving Permit is recommended.

ACCOMMODATION: There are hotels in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso with some air-conditioned rooms and additional facilities. Elsewhere there are small lodges. There is also a group of tourist-class bungalows at Arly National Park. Camping may be allowed in certain areas. Information can be obtained from the Direction du Tourisme et de l’Hôtellerie (see Contact Addresses section). Grading: Hotels are rated by the Government in stars.

Wildlife: The national parks and reserves are the best places to view wildlife; for further details, see the Resorts & Excursions section. Tour operators in Ouagadougou can organise trips of varying duration. Entrance fees are payable to all reserves.

Outdoor pursuits: The best areas for hiking are in the southwest of the country near Banfora. Excellent views of the whole region can be had from the top of the Banfora Escarpment. The Sénoufo region west of Banfora is also very pleasant, as is the Lobi region around Gaoua, southeast of Bobo Dioulasso. Mountain bike trips can be arranged in the areas around Bobo Dioulasso and Banfora, in the Lobi region and in the Nazinga Ranch south of Ouagadougou.

Other: There are a couple of hotels with swimming pools in Ouagadougou open to non-residents for a small fee. Owing to endemic bilharzia, it is not safe to swim in most rivers, lakes or standing water. Golf can be played at the course on the Route de Pô. Tennis courts are in Ouagadougou and visitors can play at the Burkina Faso Club on invitation by a member. Permits are not usually required for fishing, although the use of poison, explosives and nets with mesh smaller than 3cm (1.2 inches) is prohibited. Horses are available for hire at the Club Hippique in Ouagadougou. Football is very popular. Several new stadiums are being planned, including a major new stadium in Ouagadougou.

Food & Drink: Outside hotels, there are few restaurants in Ouagadougou and in Bobo Dioulasso. Staple foods include sorghum, millet, rice, maize, nuts, potatoes and yams. There are many popular dishes incorporating a sauce, eg rice with sauce, beef and aubergine with sauce, etc. Local vegetables and strawberries are available in season. Specialities include brochettes (meat cooked on a skewer) and chicken dishes. Beer is very reasonably priced.

Nightlife: Nightlife is particularly good in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. There are several nightclubs in Ouagadougou, some with live music, and several cinemas, both open-air and air conditioned. Bobo Dioulasso has a lively street-cafe scene, good open-air bars and restaurants and a number of open-air and air-conditioned discos.

Shopping: Good markets exist in Bobo Dioulasso, Dori, Gorom-Gorom, Oahigouya and Ouagadougou. Bargaining in the traditional marketplace is recommended. Purchases include wooden statuettes, bronze models, masks, worked skins from the tannery in Ouagadougou, jewellery, fabrics, hand-woven blankets and leather goods and crafts ranging from chess sets to ashtrays. Shopping hours: Mon-Sat 0800-1400 and 1600-1700. Some shops may be open Sunday and there are daily markets in the main towns.

Special Events: At around 0600 on Fridays, Nabayius Gou (‘the Emperor goes to war’) is a traditional ‘drama’ performed at the Moro-Naba Palace in Ouagadougou depicting the magnificently bedecked emperor being restrained by his wife and subjects as he sets off to make war with his brother. Traditional music and dancing can also be seen on festivals and holidays, especially in the southwest region which is rich in folklore.
The following is a selection of special events occurring in Burkina Faso in 2004:
Feb 22-29 FESPACO Pan-African Film and Television Festival, Ouagadougou. Mar 29-Apr 4 Internet Festival. Apr La Semaine Nationale de la Culture, Bobo Dioulasso. Oct 29-Nov 7 International Arts and Crafts Fair, Ouagadougou. Nov 12-14 End of Ramadan, nationwide.

Social Conventions: Women are always expected to dress modestly since this is a Moslem country. Within the urban areas many French customs prevail. Dress should be casual and appropriate for hot weather. Lounge suits for men and formal wear for women are required for evening entertainment. Burkina Faso is a fascinating country because of its diversity: over 60 ethnic groups dwell in this country, proud to be Burkinabé, and yet, keen to preserve their own social and cultural idiosyncrasies. Outside the cities little has changed for centuries and visitors should respect local customs and traditions. Tipping: Service is generally included in the bill (about 10 to 15 per cent) although it is customary to tip taxi drivers, porters and hotel staff. Tipping is more expected in the better-class restaurants.

Economy: Burkina Faso’s economy is predominantly agricultural, employing 80 per cent of the population and contributing to approximately half the total output. During years unaffected by drought – a frequent and recurring problem – it maintains subsistence agriculture (sorghum, millet, maize and rice) plus cash crops of cotton, groundnuts, sesame and shea-nuts, which are valuable export earners. Mineral deposits, including gold and manganese, have been located although comparatively little has been exploited – in August 1999, the country’s largest gold mine was closed as being unviable. Burkina Faso has a small manufacturing sector producing textiles, sugar and flour. New hydroelectric schemes should reduce the country’s dependence on imported fuels. Economic policy has been dominated by the liberalisation measures implemented by the Compaoré government since the late 1990s, with particular stress on the reduction of the state sector, trade liberalisation and attraction of foreign investment. The economy has been growing at approximately 6 per cent annually since 2000, although it is still very poor, with an average annual per capita income of US$220 and depends heavily on overseas aid, particularly from France and the EU. Burkina Faso belongs to the CFA Franc Zone, which fixes the value of the local currency to that of the Euro (formerly the French Franc). Imports outweigh exports in value by a factor of five. Over one-third of exports are bought by France, which provides a similar quantity of Burkina Faso’s imports. Outside the EU, neighbouring Côte d’Ivoire is Burkina’s main trading partner.

Business: Suits should be worn for government and official business, otherwise a shirt and tie should suffice. Most officials prefer to wear national dress. French is the main language spoken in business circles and if the visitor does not have a command of French, interpreter services should be sought from the British Embassy. Office hours: Mon-Fri 0700-1230 and 1500-1730.

Commercial Information: The following organisation can offer advice: Chambre de Commerce, d’Industrie et d’Artisanat du Burkina Faso, 01 BP 502, Ouagadougou 01 (tel: 5030 6114/5; fax: 5030 6116; website: www.ccia.bf).

Climate: Tropical. The dry season lasts from November to February and the rainy season from June to October. The best months are November to February when the Harmattan wind blows from the east producing dry and cool weather. Rainfall is highest in the southwest and lowest in the northeast.

Required clothing: Lightweights and rainwear for the rainy season. Plenty of scarves and handkerchiefs are recommended during the months when the Harmattan blows.

	Passport Required?	Visa Required?	Return Ticket Required?
British	Yes	Yes	Yes
Australian	Yes	Yes	Yes
Canadian	Yes	Yes	Yes
USA	Yes	Yes	Yes
OtherEU	Yes	Yes	Yes
Japanese	Yes	Yes	Yes

Date	Nov'03	Feb'04	May'04	Aug'04
£1.00	957.53	961.13	983.76	978.35
$1.00	564.26	528.01	550.79	531.03

	Special Precautions	Certificate Required?
Yellow Fever	Yes	1
Cholera	Yes	2
Typhoid and Polio	3	N/A
Malaria	4	N/A