Burkina faso fakta

In Burkina Faso, it is illegal to take pictures of certain buildings. 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.

Burkina Faso has three principal rivers: the Black Volta (Mouhoun), the Red Volta (Nazinon) and the White Volta (Nakambé).

Safety and Security

U.S. Several attacks have been directed at intercity public buses. It’s very important to know what is legal and what is not wherever you go.

Persons violating Burkina Faso’s laws, even unknowingly, may be expelled, arrested, or imprisoned.

Research thoroughly any unsolicited business proposal originating from Burkina Faso or any other source before committing funds, providing goods or services, or undertaking travel.

Do not purchase counterfeit and pirated goods such as CDs, DVDs, or computer software even if they are widely available. A teacher for seven years, she has been committed to providing students with the best learning opportunities possible, both domestically and abroad.

Common variations of this scheme involve individuals claiming to be refugees, victims of various African conflicts, or former political leaders in need of help in transferring large sums of money.

Crime

Crime in Burkina Faso poses some measure of risk for visitors. With a Global Terrorism Index (GTI) score of 8.581 in 2025, it faces the highest recorded impact from terrorism globally.

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15. Sankara’s deputy, Blaise Compaoré, took over and ruled Burkina Faso for 27 years before being ousted in a popular uprising in 2014. Despite facing challenges like economic hurdles and environmental issues, Burkina Faso shows resilience and a drive for progress. All of which converge in Ghana to form the Volta River which drains into Lake Volta.

citizens traveling to, and residing in, Burkina Faso are urged to exercise caution and maintain a high level of security awareness at all times. Rural roads outside of major arteries are often in poor condition and roadside assistance is not available. Travelers should confirm their meningitis inoculation is up to date. The information which follows is for general reference only, and may not be applicable in a particular location or circumstance within Burkina Faso.

Travelers should exercise great caution when traveling by road in Burkina Faso.

It is best to check the Embassy website for the latest security information before setting out on your journey.

Perpetrators of business fraud often target foreigners, including U.S. citizens. Instances may arise where the best safe course of action is to shelter temporarily in place.