Burkina Faso’s economy shows resilience with steady growth, easing inflation, and record revenue collection, per economist Salifou Ouedraogo.
In July 2026, the country’s revenue collection agencies mobilized 448 billion FCFA against a target of 369 billion, a realization rate of 121.41 percent.
Ouedraogo attributes this performance to improved collection efforts, revenue from gold sales, and the digitalization of tax payments.
Ouedraogo described the overall economic situation as “good,” citing several key indicators. He noted that real GDP growth increased by 0.5 percentage points between 2024 and 2025.
Inflation also fell by roughly 0.5 percentage points over the same period, a trend he characterized as disinflation rather than deflation.
The budget deficit improved significantly, dropping from 5.8 percent of GDP to 1.8 percent, a level below the 3 percent threshold set by regional community norms.
Ouedraogo also pointed to a positive current account balance of 3 percent, indicating that exports exceeded imports.
While the economy shows strength, Ouedraogo identified several fragilities.
These include climate shocks that create pockets of drought, a weak human capital base in education and health, and a heavy reliance on gold, which accounts for roughly 90 percent or more of total export value.
He warned that a drop in international gold prices could pose a problem.
Ouedraogo praised the efforts of the Minister of Economy, Nakanabo, and the staff of the general directorates of taxes, treasury, and customs.
He noted that the record collection was not sudden, as the first half of 2026 already showed a realization rate of about 108 percent.
Tax revenue in the first quarter of 2026 was 17 percent higher than in the same period of 2025.
He also highlighted the role of the national payment platform, which he said provides information to taxpayers, helps track their compliance status, facilitates payments, and reduces direct contact between agents and cash, thereby limiting opportunities for corruption and resource leakage.
Source: Burkina24.com