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Export from Burkina Faso
A short guide for companies selling from Burkina Faso: the export figures, the agreements and their limits, the main steps and who can help, each with its source.
1. What Burkina Faso sells, and who buys it
Goods exports
US$5.64 billion
Merchandise exports were US$5.64 billion in 2024 in Burkina Faso's own UN Comtrade report.
Source: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Services exports
US$630.2 million
Services exports were US$630.2 million in 2024, a figure the WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data does not flag as estimated.
Source: UNCTADstat, trade in services by category, WTO-UNCTAD-ITC data (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Top goods exports
2024
- 1. Gold (HS 7108)US$4.64 billion
- 2. Raw cotton (HS 5201)US$332.8 million
- 3. Cashews, coconuts and Brazil nuts (HS 0801)US$111.5 million
- 4. Other oilseeds (HS 1207)US$98.1 million
- 5. Portland cement (HS 2523)US$70.6 million
- 6. Refined petroleum products (HS 2710)US$54.5 million
- 7. Mangoes, avocados, pineapples and dates (HS 0804)US$37.1 million
- 8. Other vegetable fats and oils (HS 1515)US$35.6 million
Show 12 more products
- 9. Tomatoes (HS 0702)US$22.2 million
- 10. Cigarettes and cigars (HS 2402)US$16.7 million
- 11. Goods vehicles (HS 8704)US$13.3 million
- 12. Oilseed cake (HS 2306)US$13.3 million
- 13. Flavored and sweetened waters (HS 2202)US$12.9 million
- 14. Live sheep and goats (HS 0104)US$12.9 million
- 15. Bulldozers and graders (HS 8429)US$12.9 million
- 16. Earth-moving and excavating machines (HS 8430)US$6.66 million
- 17. Live cattle (HS 0102)US$6.57 million
- 18. Hot-rolled steel bars and wire rod (HS 7213)US$6.04 million
- 19. Silver (HS 7106)US$5.77 million
- 20. Parts for lifting and earth-moving machines (HS 8431)US$5.52 million
- Gold is 82.3 percent of 2024 exports and fills the first rank, so shares of the other lines are small. Source (opens in a new tab)
- Flow X includes re-exports, which were 1.9 percent of the value of 2024 exports; re-exports by product were not pulled. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
Where the goods go
2024, share of goods exports
- Switzerland56.2%
- United Arab Emirates26.2%
- Côte d'Ivoire2.9%
- Mali2.3%
- Ghana1.5%
- Togo1.1%
- South Africa1%
- India1%
- Switzerland and the United Arab Emirates took 82.4 percent of 2024 exports, and the statistics office links both to gold sales. Source (opens in a new tab)
Source: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of 2024
2. What to look into next
Our reading
Extractive lines (gold, portland cement and refined petroleum products) make up about 85% of Burkina Faso’s goods exports, so the totals mostly describe that trade. For another product, look at demand for your own line, market by market.
Sources: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports and goods exports
The research marks raw cotton, cashews, coconuts and Brazil nuts and other oilseeds as lines a small or mid-sized company could be in. If yours is one, check which markets buy that line, not only Burkina Faso’s top destinations overall.
Source: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports
Live cattle grew 136% from 2023 to 2024; flavored and sweetened waters grew 97% from 2023 to 2024. A growing line can mean buyers are looking for more; confirm it with that line’s buyers before you plan around it.
Source: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Top goods exports, against the year before
Switzerland takes 56.2% of Burkina Faso’s goods exports. If you sell there, its import rules and buyer channels come first; either way, compare at least one other market before you commit.
Source: UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by destination, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Based on: Where the goods go
Promote:Global’s reading of the figures above, not a source’s statement, and not advice.
3. Trade agreements
What each arrangement can mean for a seller, and its limits. A preference is conditional: check the rules of origin before you quote.
West African Economic and Monetary Union (WAEMU)
Shares the CFA franc and its central bank, the BCEAO, with the other members of the West African union.
Membership is shown by the central bank texts; the union tariff and origin rules were not read for this guide.
Source: BCEAO, West African union economic note, September 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
ECOWAS Trade Liberalization Scheme (ETLS)
Burkina Faso left ECOWAS on January 29, 2025, and the Commission asked authorities to keep treating its goods under the scheme until future terms are set.
The Commission asked for this treatment until future terms are set; confirm the current treatment with each importing customs office.
Source: ECOWAS Commission, withdrawal statement, January 29, 2025 (opens in a new tab) · as of January 29, 2025
AGOA
Burkina Faso goods do not receive AGOA duty-free access to the United States market for 2026.
As of October 30, 2026, Burkina Faso is not designated for 2026; Public Law 119-103 extends the program to December 31, 2028 for designated countries.
Source: Federal Register, AGOA eligibility review notice, June 30, 2026 (opens in a new tab) · as of June 30, 2026
Everything But Arms (European Union)
As a least developed country, Burkina Faso is listed for duty-free, quota-free access to the European Union market for goods other than arms.
As of October 30, 2026, this is a rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; new European Union preference rules apply from January 1, 2027.
Source: European Commission, Everything But Arms page (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more agreement
Developing Countries Trading Scheme (United Kingdom)
Burkina Faso is listed in the Comprehensive Preferences tier, the tier for least developed countries.
As of October 30, 2026, this is a rules-based preference, not unconditional market access; the scheme has its own rules of origin and claim steps.
Source: United Kingdom government, DCTS preference tiers guidance (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
4. Steps to export
The main steps, in order, each with the body responsible and its official page.
Exporting from Burkina Faso
- Register as a trader or company at a CEFORE counter, which handles the trade registry and the professional trader card forms.Maison de l'Entreprise du Burkina Faso (CEFORE)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: MEBF, CEFORE company formalities page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Check whether your goods are on the special export authorization list and, if so, apply to the trade ministry.Ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de l'ArtisanatOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, July 30, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 30, 2026
- Meet product standards; ABNORM runs national certification and is the technical barriers to trade enquiry point.Agence Burkinabè de Normalisation, de la Métrologie et de la Qualité (ABNORM)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: ABNORM, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- For plant products, request a phytosanitary export inspection from the agriculture ministry's plant protection services.Direction de la Protection des Végétaux et du Conditionnement (DPVC)3 to 14 working days, per the government portalOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Service-public.gov.bf, export plant health inspection (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 3 more export steps
- For food products, expect analysis and control by Faso FDA, the authority created in March 2026.Faso Food and Drug Administration (Faso FDA)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, March 12, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 12, 2026
- Lodge the customs export declaration under the 2025 Customs Code.Direction générale des douanes (DGD)Official page (opens in a new tab)
Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, January 22, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of January 22, 2026
- Domicile exports above 20 million CFA francs with an approved bank, and bring proceeds home within one month of the payment due date.Banque Centrale des États de l'Afrique de l'Ouest (BCEAO) and approved banksOne month from the payment due dateOfficial page (opens in a new tab)
Source: BCEAO Instruction 03/07/2025/RFE on export domiciliation (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of July 7, 2025
5. Organizations that help exporters
Start with ABIPEX, DGD and INSD. Each card links to the organization’s own site.
Each card says what it can help with:Get adviceFind financeMeet requirementsResearch markets
Export development and market information
- Get advice
Investment and export promotion agency
ABIPEX
Agence burkinabè de l'investissement et de promotion des exportations
Brings investment attraction and export promotion into one state agency, created by decree in March 2026.
Visit ABIPEX (opens in a new tab)Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, March 26, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 26, 2026
- Research markets
National statistics office
INSD
Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie
Publishes quarterly foreign trade notes, price indexes and national accounts.
Visit INSD (opens in a new tab)Source: INSD, foreign trade statistics page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Get advice
Shippers' council
CBC
Conseil Burkinabè des Chargeurs
Assists shippers with cargo moving through the Togo, Benin, Ghana and Côte d'Ivoire ports and publishes transport statistics.
Visit CBC (opens in a new tab)Source: CBC, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Customs and tax
- Meet requirements
Customs authority
DGD
Direction générale des douanes
Applies the 2025 Customs Code, including its settlement right for customs offenses.
Visit DGD (opens in a new tab)Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, January 22, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of January 22, 2026
- Meet requirements
Tax authority
DGI
Direction générale des impôts
Is the tax directorate general of the Ministry of Economy and Finance, the ministry that registers companies for the unique financial identifier (IFU).
Visit DGI (opens in a new tab)Source: Service-public.gov.bf, IFU registration procedure (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Standards and sector requirements
- Get advice
Trade and industry ministry
MICA
Ministère de l'Industrie, du Commerce et de l'Artisanat
Issues special export authorizations for goods listed by decree, and proposes the decrees that set the list.
Visit MICA (opens in a new tab)Source: Service-public.gov.bf, special export authorization (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
- Meet requirements
National standards body
ABNORM
Agence Burkinabè de Normalisation, de la Métrologie et de la Qualité
Develops national standards and runs certification, metrology, inspection and testing services.
Visit ABNORM (opens in a new tab)Source: ABNORM, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Show 1 more organization
- Meet requirements
Food and drug regulator
Faso FDA
Faso Food and Drug Administration
Gives one authority the analysis of food products and the control of medicines, created in March 2026 from two agencies.
Visit Faso FDA (opens in a new tab)Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, March 12, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of March 12, 2026
Chambers and industry associations
- Get advice
National chamber of commerce
CCI-BF
Chambre de Commerce et d'Industrie du Burkina Faso
Informs investors about the Investment Code, lists support structures and runs training centers.
Visit CCI-BF (opens in a new tab)Source: CCI-BF, legal information for investors (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
6. Worth knowing
Gold concentration
Gold was 82.3 percent of 2024 exports in UN Comtrade, and the statistics office puts it at 96.9 percent in the fourth quarter of 2025.
What to do: Compare your product with the other lines in the list, and read the destination caveat before you quote shares.
Sources: INSD, foreign trade note, fourth quarter 2025 (in French) (opens in a new tab); UN Comtrade, Burkina Faso exports by product, 2024 (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
Special export authorizations
Decrees adopted July 30 and October 8, 2026 rewrite the special export authorization list set by Decree 2025-1377 of October 2, 2025.
What to do: Check the current list with the Ministry of Industry, Commerce and Crafts before you ship flour, couscous, semolina or metal scrap.
Sources: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, July 30, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab); Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, October 8, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 8, 2026
Livestock export decree
A decree adopted May 21, 2026 regulates slaughter, internal movement and export of donkeys, camels, horses and their products.
What to do: Confirm the permit steps with the animal resources services before you arrange live animal or hide exports.
Source: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, May 21, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of May 21, 2026
Cotton under state control
On April 16, 2026 the Council of Ministers decided to nationalize SOFITEX by buying out its private shareholders.
What to do: Confirm purchase and export arrangements for cotton with the trade ministry before you sign sales.
Sources: Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, April 16, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab); Burkina Faso Council of Ministers, June 25, 2026 (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of April 16, 2026
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Logistics and border performance
Burkina Faso is landlocked, and the 2025 United States guide names customs clearance delays and red tape as main barriers.
What to do: Ask your freight forwarder which port corridor and transit documents apply before you book.
Sources: United States Commerce Department, Burkina Faso trade barriers guide, 2025 (opens in a new tab); CBC, home page (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of November 13, 2025
Currency and settlement
Exports above 20 million CFA francs go through an approved bank, and proceeds must come home within one month of the payment due date.
What to do: Agree payment terms with your bank before you sign a sales contract.
Source: BCEAO Instruction 03/07/2025/RFE on export domiciliation (in French) (opens in a new tab) · as of October 30, 2026
7. How Promote:Global helps
- Compare potential export marketsSee which markets import what you sell, ranked on public trade data, and read each country before you commit.
- Check duties and document requirementsCheck the duty, the origin conditions for a preferential rate and the documents a shipment needs.
- Find advisors and service firmsAsk an advisory firm a scoped, paid question, or browse firms that list their own services, from legal work to logistics.
- Organize your next stepsKeep each product and market in a project, with a roadmap of steps you work through.
Turn this guide into your Burkina Faso project.
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Promote:Burkina Faso is an independent guide by Promote:Global, not an official government portal. The organizations named here are independent public and membership bodies, not Promote:Global partners, and every link goes to their own site.
Facts read from public sources, with an editorial cut-off of October 30, 2026. Nothing here is investment, legal, tax or sanctions advice. Check current status with the organization before you rely on it.