Canada-Burkina Faso relations

On this page

• Bilateral relations
• Trade relations
• Development and humanitarian assistance
• Partnerships and organizations
• Canada-Burkina Faso fact sheet

Bilateral relations

Canada and Burkina Faso established diplomatic relations in 1962, after Burkina Faso gained its independence in 1960. Bilateral relations between Canada and Burkina Faso are well established and harmonious. The two countries frequently collaborate within the United Nations and La Francophonie—of which they are both members—and through trade relations. Canada is represented in Burkina Faso by an embassy in Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is represented in Canada by an embassy in Ottawa and honorary consuls in Montreal; Toronto; Caraquet, New Brunswick; and Vancouver.

Trade relations

Canada and Burkina Faso have an established trade relationship that holds significant growth potential. Burkina Faso is an emerging market that offers opportunities for Canadian companies in different sectors, including mining, energy (especially renewable energy), agriculture, infrastructure, clean technologies and education. Canada is the largest mining investor in the country with mining assets of over 3 billion dollars. Canadian investments in the mining sector have become an important economic lever for supporting our trade relations and contributing to the economic development of Burkina Faso.  Canadian investments in Burkina Faso were $1 817 million in 2018, with an increasing focus on clean energy, a sector in rapid expansion. In 2017, bilateral merchandise trade reached $62 million, of which Canadian exports to Burkina Faso totalled $46.8 million and imports from Burkina Faso totalled $15.5 million. The main import products were mineral products, fruits and preserved food while export products were mainly machinery, vehicles, tools, electrical and electronic equipment, cereals and printed products. A foreign investment promotion and protection agreement between Canada and Burkina Faso came into effect in October 2017. This agreement should further promote and secure investment between the two countries.

Related links

• Trade and investment agreements
• Import / Export controls
• Doing business in Burkina Faso

Development and humanitarian assistance

From April 2011 to March 2021, Canada provided over $584 million in development assistance to Burkina Faso. This includes $85.25 million for the 2020 to 2021 fiscal year (from April 1 to March 31). Of this amount, Global Affairs Canada provided $73.86 million, including $12.61 million in humanitarian assistance. This support contributed to significant results, particularly in education for girls, an area where Canada is an active member of the sectoral partnership framework, and in health. 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, peace and social cohesion. Consult the Project Browser for more information on programming in Burkina Faso.

Partnerships and organizations

To develop effective responses to today’s most pressing global challenges, Canada and Burkina Faso work closely in multilateral fora, such as:

• La Francophonie
• International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO)
• International Criminal Court (ICC)
• Open Government Partnership (OGP)
• United Nations (UN)
• United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
• World Trade Organization (WTO)