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Burkina Faso
Country Specific Information
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January 12, 2010
COUNTRY DESCRIPTION: 
Burkina Faso, previously known as Upper Volta, is a landlocked, developing country in the Sahel region of West Africa. Its
capital is Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is a former French colony; the official language is French. It is one of the world’s
poorest countries, and tourism infrastructure is limited. Read the Department of State’s Background Notes on Burkina Faso for additional information.
REGISTRATION / EMBASSY LOCATION: U.S. citizens living or traveling in Burkina Faso are encouraged to register with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate at the Department of State’s travel registration page in order to obtain updated information on local travel and security. U.S. citizens without Internet access may register directly with the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate. Registration is important; it allows the State Department to assist U.S. citizens in an emergency.
Local embassy information is available below and at the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates.
Embassy Ouagadougou
Address: Effective January 19, 2010, the U.S. Embassy’s new address will be Secteur 15, Ouaga 2000, Avenue Sembene Ousmane,
Rue 15.873, Arrondissement de Bogodogo.
Telephone: Effective January 19, the Embassy's new phone number will be (+226) 5049-5300. Callers may reach the Embassy at (+226) 5030-6723 until January 19, 2010.
Emergency after-hours telephone: (+226) 5031-2660 or 5031-2707
Facsimile: (+226) 5030-7775
ENTRY / EXIT REQUIREMENTS: A valid passport, visa, and evidence of yellow-fever vaccination are required for entry into the country. Visas valid for seven days are available at land borders and for 30 days at the airport; however, both can be converted into visas of up to five years validity at the Direction du Controle des Migrations, a government office in central Ouagadougou. U.S. travelers should obtain longer-validity visas from the Embassy of Burkina Faso, 2340 Massachusetts Avenue NW, Washington, DC 20008, telephone (202) 332-5577. Overseas inquiries should be made at the nearest Burkinabe embassy or consulate.
The U.S. Department of State is unaware of any HIV/AIDS entry restrictions for visitors to, or foreign residents of, Burkina Faso.
Information about dual nationality or the prevention of international child abduction can be found on our website. For further information about customs regulations, please read our customs Information page.
SAFETY AND SECURITY: Ouagadougou occasionally experiences demonstrations and civil unrest. U.S. citizens traveling to, and residing in, Burkina Faso are urged to exercise caution and maintain a high level of security awareness at all times. Although most demonstrations are generally peaceful, there have been several incidents of violence and destruction within recent years. U.S. citizens should avoid crowds, political gatherings, and street demonstrations, even if they appear to be peaceful. There have been no known terrorist incidents (bombings, hijackings or kidnappings) directed against foreigners in Burkina Faso; however, travelers to the northern regions and border areas of Burkina Faso should remain aware of the security situation in the neighboring states of Mali and Niger, where foreigners have been targets of kidnapping attempts. The Sahelian regions of Burkina Faso are extremely remote, and the Embassy’s ability to render assistance in the event of an emergency there could be very limited.
For the latest security information, U.S. citizens traveling abroad should regularly monitor the Department of State's Bureau of Consular Affairs' website, which contains current the Travel Warnings and Travel Alerts as well as the Worldwide Caution.
Up-to-date information on safety and security can also be obtained by calling 1-888-407-4747 toll-free within the U.S. and Canada, or by calling a regular toll line, 1-202-501-4444, from other countries. These numbers are available from 8:00 a.m. to 8:00 p.m. Eastern Time, Monday through Friday (except U.S. federal holidays).
The Department of State urges U.S. citizens to take responsibility for their own personal security while traveling overseas. For general information about appropriate measures travelers can take to protect themselves in an overseas environment, see the Department of State’s extensive tips and advice on traveling safely abroad.
CRIME: Street crime in Burkina Faso poses high risks for visitors. Most reported incidents involve purse-snatchers and street scam artists, who target wallets, jewelry, cell phones and other valuables. Thieves are especially active during international meetings or events, which draw large crowds to the capital. The areas near and around the U.N. Circle, Avenue Kwame N’Krumah, and the Central Market in Ouagadougou experience the highest incidence of purse snatchings and muggings. Travelers should stay alert, remain in groups, and avoid poorly lit areas. Be especially cautious at night, when most reported incidents have taken place.
There continue to be armed robberies and attacks on intercity roads throughout the country. Although these armed individuals
and groups operate mostly at night, there have been daytime attacks. They have injured or killed individuals who refused
their demands or attempted to drive through their roadblocks. Several attacks have been directed at intercity public buses.
U.S. travelers should avoid all intercity travel at night. Check with the Embassy for the latest security information before
setting out on your journey.
Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including Americans. Recent scams that have victimized U.S. citizens
have taken many forms, including fraudulent transactions for gold and antiquities. While such fraud schemes in the past have
been largely associated with Nigeria, they are now prevalent throughout West Africa, including Burkina Faso. The scams pose
a danger of both financial loss and physical harm. Recently, an increasing number of American citizens have been the targets
of such scams. A typical sign of a business scam is the demand for advance payments on contracts. Persons contemplating
business deals in Burkina Faso should contact the commercial section of the U.S. Embassy in Ouagadougou if they have any doubts
about the legitimacy of a potential business client or partner.
Normally, fraud schemes begin with an unsolicited communication (usually by e-mail) from an unknown individual who describes a situation that promises quick financial gain, often by assisting in the transfer of a large sum of money or gold dust out of the country. A series of "advance fees" must then be paid in order to conclude the transaction; for example, fees to provide legal documents or to pay certain taxes. In fact, the final payoff does not exist; the purpose of the scam is simply to collect the advance fees. One common variation of this scheme involves individuals claiming to be refugees or other victims of various African conflicts who contact U.S. citizens to request their help in transferring large sums of money out of Burkina Faso. Another typical ploy has persons claiming to be related to present or former political leaders who need assistance to transfer large sums of cash. As previously mentioned, other variations include what appear to be legitimate business deals requiring advance payments on contracts. Sometimes perpetrators manage to induce victims to provide bank account and credit card information, and financial authorizations that allow them to incur large debts against the victim’s credit. In some instances, victims have lost their life savings.
The best way to avoid becoming a victim of advance-fee fraud is common sense—if a proposition looks too good to be true, it probably is. Any unsolicited business proposal originating from Burkina Faso or any other source should be carefully checked and researched before funds are committed, goods or services are provided, or travel is undertaken.
For additional information on scams, see the Department of State’s website on international financial scams.
In many countries around the world, counterfeit and pirated goods are widely available. Transactions involving such products may be illegal under local law. In addition, bringing them back to the United States may result in forfeitures and/or fines.
INFORMATION FOR VICTIMS OF CRIME: If you are the victim of a crime abroad, you should contact the local police and the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate (see the Department of State’s list of embassies and consulates). This includes the loss or theft of a U.S. passport. The embassy/consulate staff can, for example, help you find appropriate medical care, contact family members or friends and explain how funds may be transferred. Although the investigation and prosecution of the crime are solely the responsibility of local authorities, consular officers can help you to understand the local criminal justice process and to find an attorney if needed.
There is no local equivalent to the all-purpose “911” emergency line in Burkina Faso; there are separate numbers for different types of services and also for different cities. Within Ouagadougou, emergency numbers are as follows: fire department, 50-30-69-47, 50-30-69-48, or simply dial 18; ambulance service, 50-30-66-44 or 50-30-66-45; police, 50-30-63-83, 50-30-71-00, or simply dial 17; Gendarmerie, 50-31-33-39 or 50-31-33-40. You can also dial 10-10 which will connect to the Ministry of Security who will then dispatch the appropriate law enforcement entity.
Please see our information on victims of crime, including possible victim compensation programs in the United States.
CRIMINAL PENALTIES: While in a foreign country, a U.S. citizen is subject to that country's laws and regulations, which sometimes differ significantly from those in the United States and may not afford the protections available to the individual under U.S. law. Penalties for breaking the law can be more severe than in the United States for similar offenses. Engaging in sexual conduct with children or using or disseminating child pornography in a foreign country is a crime, prosecutable in the United States.
Persons violating Burkinabe laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned. Penalties for possessing, using, or trafficking in illegal drugs in Burkina Faso are severe, and convicted offenders can expect long jail sentences and heavy fines.
SPECIAL CIRCUMSTANCES: Burkina Faso’s customs authorities may enforce strict regulations concerning export from Burkina Faso of items such as masks, religious materials, and antiquities. The Director of the National Museum has stated that all exportation of objects of art (old or traditional artists’ works, and all old material of the national cultural patrimony) is subject to the prior approval of the Ministry of Culture. Contact the Embassy of Burkina Faso in Washington (see contact information in the Entry Requirements section) for specific information regarding customs requirements.
Foreigners should always carry photocopies of the biographic page of their passport and their visa with them at all times. Credit cards are accepted at only a few high-end establishments in Ouagadougou. Travelers' checks may be cashed at local banks, but euro-denominated traveler’s checks are much more widely accepted than dollar-denominated ones. There are a few ATMs in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, but they do not always accept cards from foreign banks. ATMs generally accept Visa credit cards with a personal identification number.
Burkina Faso’s laws concerning photography have recently changed. Photo permits from the Tourist Office are no longer required for tourists. Film crews still do require permits. Note that the Tourist Office publishes a list of buildings, installations, and areas that may not be photographed at all.
Local telephone service is adequate but expensive. Cell phone networks are available in most urban areas. However, telephone coverage in rural areas is limited. International calls cannot always be made from hotels; it is often necessary to make international calls from a Post and Telecommunications Office, where only local currency is accepted. Collect calls are not possible. Cyber-cafes for Internet access are common in both Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso.
MEDICAL FACILITIES AND HEALTH INFORMATION: Medical facilities and emergency hospital care are very limited, particularly in areas outside the capital, Ouagadougou. Some medicines are, however, available through local pharmacies. Travelers requiring medicines should bring an adequate supply for the duration of their stay in Burkina Faso.
Information on vaccinations and other health precautions, such as safe food and water precautions and insect bite protection, may be obtained from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) hotline for international travelers at 1-877-FYI-TRIP (1-877-394-8747) or via the CDC website. For information about outbreaks of infectious diseases abroad, consult the infectious diseases section of the World Health Organization (WHO) website. The WHO website also contains additional health information for travelers, including detailed country-specific health information.
Malaria is a serious risk to travelers in Burkina Faso. Travelers who become ill with a fever or flu-like illness while traveling in a malaria-risk area and up to one year after returning home should seek prompt medical attention and tell the physician their travel history and what anti-malarial drugs they have been taking. For additional information on malaria, including protective measures, please visit the CDC’s website.
Meningitis is endemic in Burkina Faso, and cases are most frequent during the drier, dustier months of January through June. Travelers should confirm that their meningitis A, C, Y, W, 135 inoculations are up to date.
There have been several confirmed cases of avian influenza (H5N1) in Burkina Faso over the last year, although in each case the disease was confined to birds, and was contained. A new outbreak could occur at any time. Travelers should avoid poultry farms and markets, avoid contact with visibly sick or dead birds and raw poultry, and ensure poultry products are thoroughly cooked prior to consumption. For further information on avian influenza, consult the CDC’s avian influenza webpage and the WHO’s avian influenza webpage.
MEDICAL INSURANCE: The Department of State strongly urges U.S. citizens to consult their medical insurance company prior to traveling abroad to determine whether the policy applies overseas and whether it covers emergency expenses such as a medical evacuation. For more information, please see our medical insurance overseas page.
TRAFFIC SAFETY AND ROAD CONDITIONS: While in a foreign country, U.S. citizens may encounter road conditions that differ significantly from those in the United States. The information below concerning Burkina Faso is provided for general reference only, and may not be totally accurate in a particular location or circumstance.
Caution is urged while utilizing any form of public transportation, and travelers should remain aware of their personal belongings at all times, in addition to road conditions. While urban road conditions are fair, rural roads are in poor condition and roadside assistance is not available. Travelers should exercise great caution when traveling by land in Burkina Faso. Although several major roads are paved, they can be narrow and full of potholes. Livestock and children often dart onto the road without warning. Road travel at night is especially dangerous and, if at all possible, should be avoided. At night, there is a high volume of truck traffic passing through the country and pedestrians, bicycles, and carts pose a major hazard on unlit, unmarked roads. Vehicles are often dangerously overloaded and poorly maintained. Drivers, including motorcyclists and bicyclists, are often careless. The police rarely enforce traffic laws and are virtually absent from rural roads. Emergency services are unreliable and overtaxed.
Please refer to our Road Safety page for more information.
AVIATION SAFETY OVERSIGHT: As there is no direct commercial air service to the United States by carriers registered in Burkina Faso, the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has not assessed the government of Burkina Faso’s Civil Aviation Authority for compliance with International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) aviation safety standards. Further information may be found on the FAA’s safety assessment page.
CHILDREN'S ISSUES: Please see our Office of Children’s Issues web pages on intercountry adoption and international parental child abduction.
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This replaces the Country Specific Information for Burkina Faso dated September 29, 2009, to update the sections on Registration/Embassy Location, and Threats to Safety and Security.
