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How to start a business in Burkina Faso as a foreigner (2026)

Starting a business in Burkina Faso as a foreigner: moderate.

Burkina Faso permits 100% foreign ownership in most sectors under the 2018 Investment Code, with company registration channelled through government-run Centres de Formalités des Entreprises (CEFORE) that consolidate incorporation, tax-ID, and social-security steps into a single window typically completed in 3-13 working days. Formal barriers to entry are modest, but practical constraints, including an extended military-transition government (mandate to 2029), active security crisis, infrastructure deficits, and sector-specific restrictions in mining and telecoms, raise the effective difficulty above 'easy'.

Last verified Official sources first · MethodologyCompare Burkina Faso with other countries

Legal framework

Loi N°038-2018/AN portant Code des Investissements du Burkina Faso; OHADA Uniform Act on Commercial Companies (AUDSCGIE); CEFORE one-stop registration centres

Key points: starting a business in Burkina Faso

  1. Foreign ownership

    The 2018 Investment Code (Art. 5) permits up to 100% foreign equity in most sectors, with equal treatment to domestic investors. Exceptions: mining firms are subject to a mandatory 10% State shareholding; telecoms firms must include at least one domestic shareholder.

    investmentpolicy.unctad.org state.gov

  2. CEFORE one-stop registration

    Eight CEFORE centres (one-stop shops) consolidate commercial-registry (RCCM), tax-identification number (IFU), and CNSS social-security enrolment into a single filing. Average completion is 3-13 working days.

    cci.bf businessprocedures.bf

  3. Company types & minimum capital

    The most common vehicle is the SARL (LLC), governed by OHADA AUDSCGIE, requiring a minimum of 1 shareholder of any nationality; capital is freely set by partners but in practice recommended at ≥1,000,000 XOF (~USD 1,650). The SA (joint-stock) requires ≥10,000,000 XOF (~USD 16,500). Both must be registered with the OHADA RCCM to acquire legal personality.

    expanship.com rccm.ohada.org practiceguides.chambers.com

  4. Key registration steps

    Steps are: (1) name reservation at CEFORE (30-day certificate); (2) notarise articles of association in French; (3) deposit share capital in a local bank; (4) submit unified CEFORE dossier for RCCM inscription, IFU, and CNSS registration; (5) receive certificate of incorporation. A business licence (patente) from the municipal authority follows.

    cci.bf businessprocedures.bf

  5. Capital repatriation guarantee

    The 2018 Investment Code guarantees foreign investors the right to freely transfer capital contributions, profits, dividends, and proceeds from liquidation, provided the investment was financed with foreign-currency contributions.

    investmentpolicy.unctad.org investmentpolicy.unctad.org

  6. Political & security risk context

    Since September 2022, Burkina Faso has been governed by a military junta; the transition mandate was extended to July 2029. The US State Department 2025 Investment Climate Statement flags active armed conflict, restricted movement in large parts of the country, and corruption as material risks that complicate on-the-ground business formation despite formally open laws.

    state.gov state.gov

Sources

  1. investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-laws/laws/276/burkina-faso-burkina-faso-investment-code-20
  2. state.gov/reports/2025-investment-climate-statements/burkina-faso
  3. state.gov/wp-content/uploads/2025/09/638719_2025-Burkina-Faso-Investment-Climat
  4. investmentpolicy.unctad.org/investment-policy-monitor/measures/3309/burkina-faso-new-investment-c
  5. cci.bf/?q=en%2Finvest-in-burkina-faso%2Fbusiness-law-and-regulation
  6. businessprocedures.bf/media/MO%203%20formalites%20RCCM%20%20IFU%20%20CNSS_1.pdf
  7. rccm.ohada.org/prsCompany/index?lang=en
  8. practiceguides.chambers.com/practice-guides/doing-business-in-2025/burkina-faso
  9. expanship.com/bf/blog/incorporation-requirements-in-burkina-faso

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Orientation, not legal advice: verify against the primary sources linked above. Last verified 24 May 2026. Methodology & how to cite · State of Technology Regulation 2026