Burkina Faso Country Summary

FATF Status

Burkina Faso is no longer on the FATF List of Countries that have been identified as having strategic AML deficiencies

Compliance with FATF Recommendations

The last Mutual Evaluation Report relating to the implementation of anti-money laundering and counter-terrorist financing standards in Burkina Faso was undertaken in 2025. According to that Evaluation, Burkina Faso was deemed Compliant for 10 and Largely Compliant for 22 of the FATF 40 Recommendations. It remains Highly Effective for 0 and Substantially Effective for 0 with regard to the 11 areas of Effectiveness of its AML/CFT Regime.

Burkina Faso is grappling with significant corruption and crime challenges, as evidenced by widespread public perception that corruption is frequent and the fight against it is ineffective. The country faces a variety of criminal activities, including human trafficking, drug transit, and organized crime, exacerbated by political instability and a strained criminal justice system that struggles with inadequate resources and pervasive corruption.

Burkina Faso's economy is characterized by significant challenges, including a high poverty rate and a complex humanitarian crisis exacerbated by ongoing security threats from terrorism. Despite these difficulties, the country has demonstrated some economic resilience, with an average GDP growth of nearly 4% between 2021 and 2024, primarily driven by the mining sector, particularly gold, which constitutes a substantial portion of its exports. The Transition Authorities, established after military coups in 2022, have introduced the Action Plan for Development and Stabilization, focusing on governance, security, and economic recovery, while also seeking to attract foreign investment across various sectors, including agriculture, energy, and telecommunications, despite facing budgetary pressures and a challenging investment climate.