Burkina Faso Country Focus

By
abioduncoker
-
Burkina Faso country overview
Burkina
Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa
around 274,200 square kilometres (105,900 sq mi) in size. It is
surrounded by six countries: Mali to the north; Niger to the east; Benin to the southeast; Togo and Ghana to the south; and Ivory Coast
to the southwest. Its capital is Ouagadougou.
As of 2014, its population was estimated at just over 17.3 Million.
Formerly
called the Republic of Upper Volta, the country was renamed “Burkina Faso” on 4
August 1984 by then-President Thomas
Sankara. Citizens of Burkina Faso are known as Burkinabè.
French is the country official language.
Before
the conquest of what is now Burkina Faso by the French and other colonial
powers during the late 19th century the country was ruled
by various ethnic groups including the Mossi
kingdoms. After gaining independence from France in 1960, the
country underwent many governmental changes. Today it is a semi-presidential republic. Blaise Compaoré was the most recent president
and ruled the country from 1987 until he was ousted from power by the popular
youth uprise on October 30th and 31st, 2014.
Burkina Economic Review
2010
2011
2012
2013
2014
Amount in Billion
XOF
GDP (Billion
XOF)
4 454
5 060
5 701
5 987
6 220
GDP (Billion USD)
8,91
10,12
11,40
11,97
12,44
Population (Million)
15,8
16,3
16,9
17,4
17,9
GDP per Capita (000 XOF)
281,0
309,6
338,3
344,5
347,1
GDP GROWTH (%)
13,0%
13,6%
12,7%
5,0%
3,9%
Inflation (yearly average
%)
2,8%
3,8%
2,0%
2,0%
Current account balance
(% GDP)
-1,3%
-2,1%
-5,2%
-8,2%
Public dept (% GDP)
29,7%
27,3%
31,4%
38,7%
STRENGTHS
  • ·
    Africa leading cotton
    producer
  • ·
    Increase importance
    of gold production
  • ·
    Good economic
    policy record and implementation of structural reforms
  • ·
    Support of the
    international financial community (one of the first countries to benefit from
    the Heavily Indebted Poor Countries initiatives)

 

WEAKNESSES
  • ·
    Economy highly
    exposed to climatic vagaries
  • ·
    Vulnerability
    to change in cotton and gold prices
  • ·
    Heavy dependence on
    foreign aids
  • ·
    Landlocked country
  • ·
    Demographic
    pressure and high poverty rate

 

RISK ASSESSMENT
 
Growth sustained by agriculture and an expanding mining
sector
 
There was strong growth in 2013, driven by cotton
production and the mining boom. Then 2013-2014 agricultural campaign has got
off to a promising start, with regard to rain forecasts, and continued investment
under the Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development will maintain
a high rate of growth in 2014.  The most significant risk affecting the
economy is a fall in cotton and gold prices. Government efforts aimed at
increasing cereal and cotton production are expected to lead to an increase in
sown acreage. The measures relate to the distribution of improved seeds, better
prices for producers, input subsidies and the clearing of arrears.
Infrastructure investments relate to Donsin airport under the Bagre Growth Pole
Project. The coming on-stream of the Bissa gold mine in January 2013 increased
gold production. The primary sector’s dependence on weather conditions remains
a source of weakness. It is planned to reduce dependence on gold and cotton by
encouraging agribusiness in the sectors of cattle rearing, fruit and shea
butter production.
The success of the agricultural campaign has brought
inflation down below the WAEMU target (3%).

POLITICAL
SITUATION
 
October 2014 was a particular month in Burkina Faso
with the announcement of the review of the Article 37 of the constitution to
maintain President Blaise Compaore in power after 27 years. An up-rising chased him from the power and the
country.
The post Blaise Compaoré was managed with a lot of
maturity by the army, civil society organizations, International organizations
and some African Presidents. A transition government was set for one year with
the main objective to hold transparent elections which were held in November
2015 with the election of Roch March Christian KABORE as democratically elected
President.
The Government of transition experienced liquidity
gaps. In addition to funds rising through issuance of Treasury Bills and Bonds huge
sums are required from State owned companies which significantly reduced their
deposits with Banks.
Burkina
Faso is a member of the African Union, Community of Sahel-Saharan States,
La
Francophonie, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation,
Economic Community of West African
States, and United Nations.

 

 

Where to visit
The Koubri monastery
and convent
Located at about 30 kms from Ouagadougou on the way to
Po; you can buy excellent cheese in a small rural friendly place surrounded by
lakes.
 
Laongo Sculptures
At about 30 kms from Ouagadougou on the way to Fada
N’Gourma, one can see the granite carvings of Laongo. These works were created
by artists from around the world.
Manega Museum
The
Manéga museum is located in the Mossi region on the road to Kongoussi about 55
kilometers from Ouagadougou. 

The crocodile pond
The
crocodile pond of Bazoulé, also worth visiting, is located at 30 kms from
Ouagadougou on the road to Bobo
 
Ziniaré Animal Park
There
is another wildlife park in Ziniaré, 30 kms east of Ouagadougou.

 

The Nazinga
ranch
The
Nazinga ranch covers over 100,000 hectares and includes nearly 600 km of
slopes. It was built by the Belgian cooperation and has become a natural
reserve. 
The Pô
animal park
Not
far from Po, one can see a large variety of monkeys, warthogs and antelopes …
In short, all types of animals
 
The
village of Tiébélé
The
village of Tiébélé is located in the Gurunsi region, next to Pô. It has beautiful
colorful houses which are repainted every year. You can go just for the day or
for pass the night. 

 

National Heroes Monument
This
monument is located on the way to the Presidential Palace when coming from
Circulaire. It is a place to visit as it is dedicated to all heroes of the
country.
 
 
Hotels

 

  1. LAICO HOTEL: located in Ouaga 2000 not far from the
    Presidency
  2.  
  3. LE SILMANDE SOPATEL: located near the center of the town in a
    very quiet environment
  5. LE SPLENID HOTEL: located in the center
    of the town on the busiest avenue KWAME N’KRUMAH
  7. PALM BEACH HOTEL: located in the center of the town on the
    busiest avenue KWAME N’KRUMAH
  9. ROYAL PALM BEACH: located near one of the busiest car
    park on the road to Fada and Eastern Overhead Bridge
  11. PALACE HOTEL: located in Ouaga 2000 not far from
    the Presidency

 

Bars
  1. Espace Zoodo: Gounghin (on the Fespaco
    avenue opposite the Tam Tam restaurant)
  2. Madiba:         Rasta bar opposite stade du 4 Aout
  3. Boulougou:   Popular bar in Koulouba
  4. Le Bar K:         in Koulouba, european
    atmosphere
  5. Stade municipal: Bar with chicken and
    kebabs
  6. Le Daba:        Live concerts on weekends in Tampouy
Night clubs
1.    Le Majestic:  middle of town
2.    Le Nirvana:    Cité an III
3.    Le Privé:         middle of town, close to Hôtel Relax
4.    Showroom:    Koulouba
5.    Le Zoodo:      same road with Verdoyant restaurant on the way to Dapoya
6.    Le Rex Club: on avenue Charles de Gaulle, live concert on Sunday evenings
7.    Le Calypso:   Same road with Espace Volontariats, free
8.    The Mask:      Located in LAICO Hotel
 
Restaurants
 
  1. Vert Galant  Ouaga 2000
  2. Coq Bleu Kwame N’Krumah
  3. Aboussouan  Gounghin
  4. Hamanien Kwame N’Krumah
  5. Gondwana Zone du Bois
  6. Le Bistrot Lyonnais close to the Ministry of Finance
  7. City resto bar in Kouloub
  8. Sofra in Ouaga 2000
  9. Le Restaurant de Chine, same building with Gallery Noble

 

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