Canada-Burkina Faso relations
On this page
- Bilateral relations
- Trade relations
- Development and humanitarian assistance
- Peace and Security
- Partnerships and organizations
Bilateral relations
Canada and Burkina Faso established diplomatic relations in 1962, after Burkina Faso gained its independence in 1960. Canada cooperates with Burkina Faso particularly through its bilateral development, humanitarian assistance, and peace and security programming. Canada is represented in Burkina Faso by an embassy in Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is represented in Canada by an embassy in Ottawa.
Trade relations
Canada-Burkina Faso’s trade relationship is characterized by Canadian private sector investments in the mining sector. These investments have become an important economic lever for supporting the bilateral trade relations and contributing to the economic development of Burkina Faso. In 2022, bilateral merchandise trade reached $123 million, including $41.7 million in exports and $81.3 million in imports. The combined Canadian private sector investments in Burkina Faso make Canada one of the top sources of investments in the country. In 2021, Canadian direct investments in Burkina Faso totalled nearly $2.5 billion.
A foreign investment promotion and protection agreement between Canada and Burkina Faso came into effect in October 2017. This agreement aims to further promote and secure investment between the two countries.
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Development and humanitarian assistance
From 2011 to 2022, Canada provided over $647 million in development assistance to Burkina Faso. This includes $104 million for the 2021/2022 fiscal year (from April 1 to March 31). This assistance contributed to significant results, particularly in education for girls and in health.
Canada provides humanitarian assistance for Burkina Faso through experienced humanitarian partners such as the Red Cross, the UN, and NGOs to support a gender-responsive multi-sectoral response to address the specific needs of crisis-affected populations. This includes providing food assistance, treatment for acute malnutrition and other critical health care, safe water and sanitation, as well as protection services.
Canada’s Feminist International Assistance Policy guides Canadian priorities in Burkina Faso, particularly gender equality and the empowerment of women and girls, human dignity (education and health), green economic growth, and peace and social cohesion.
Consult the for more information on programming in Burkina Faso.
Peace and Security
Canada’s Counter-Terrorism Capacity Building Programme (CTCBP) in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), provides international security assistance and works with partners to strengthen institutional responses and community resilience to violent extremism and global terrorist networks. Recent programming aimed at reducing terrorist threats through training, equipment and technical assistance, has supported efforts to counter Improvised Explosive Devices and to improve the collection, recording, and use of battlefield evidence for criminal prosecution.
Through the Peace and Stabilization Operations Program (PSOP), Canada supports several projects in Burkina Faso to promote conflict prevention and resolution. This includes support for conflict prevention and security governance, contributions to reduce arms proliferation, support for the inclusion of women in security sector reform for inclusive governance, consolidation of peace in the artisanal gold mining sector, reduction of intercommunal violence and strengthening of social cohesion, and mediation efforts to resolve community conflicts.
Partnerships and organizations
To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Burkina Faso have opportunities to work together in multilateral fora, such as:
- International Criminal Court (ICC)
- Open Government Partnership (OGP)
- United Nations (UN)
- United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
- World Trade Organization (WTO)
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