Burkina Faso is attracting significant interest from Italian investors following a high-level meeting in Ouagadougou on Tuesday, April 21, 2026.
The Minister of Economy and Finance, Dr. Aboubakar Nacanabo, hosted a delegation led by the Burkinabe Ambassador to Italy to discuss the country’s growing appeal as a regional investment hub. These entrepreneurs expressed a strong intent to participate in major infrastructure projects, citing a business environment they described as both favorable and rich in untapped opportunities.
The discussions highlighted Burkina Faso’s resilient macroeconomic performance, characterized by a 6.5% growth rate in 2025 and a trade surplus of nearly 2 trillion CFA francs. Despite regional security challenges, inflation has been kept under control at -0.5%, and the tax burden remains consistent with WAEMU standards. Investors particularly praised the country’s strategic geographic location and the competitive speed of its administrative procedures, which some noted are more efficient than practices often observed in Europe. The 2026-2030 Recovery Plan and an incentive-based investment code were also identified as key drivers for this renewed interest.
Proposed projects span a wide variety of sectors, including renewable energy, airport logistics, and specialized vocational training, such as the establishment of a jewelry school and drone production facilities. Minister Nacanabo has encouraged the delegation to submit detailed concept notes through diplomatic channels to ensure formal follow-up. He emphasized that future partnerships must prioritize skills transfer and the involvement of the Burkinabe Diaspora in Italy to ensure that economic cooperation between Ouagadougou and Rome results in sustainable, mutually beneficial development.
HO/te/fss/abj/APA