Burkina Faso's economy is agrarian, with cotton, gold, and livestock as primary exports. Gold mining has surged, becoming the top export, while cotton supports rural economies. Subsistence agriculture employs most citizens, growing millet, sorghum, and maize amid Sahelian challenges like drought. Political instability and security issues from jihadist threats disrupt growth. The informal sector dominates, with limited manufacturing. Efforts to diversify include shea butter and sesame production. High poverty and low human development indices persist, despite reforms for better governance. Burkina Faso's landlocked position increases import costs, but regional trade initiatives offer potential for economic resilience and development.
World Bank Data. 2000-2024. Last updated Oct 2025.
Refer to the latest year-over-year Burkina Faso GDP statistics.