# Government of Burkina Faso > national government of Burkina Faso **Wikidata**: [Q110735040](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q110735040) **Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/government-of-burkina-faso ## Summary The Government of Burkina Faso is the national governing authority of the sovereign state of Burkina Faso in West Africa. It is currently administered by a military junta following the January 2022 coup d'état, with Ibrahim Traoré as the head of state since October 6, 2022. ## Key Facts - **Country**: Burkina Faso - **Instance of**: Government - **Independence Date**: August 5, 1960 (from France) - **Renamed**: Burkina Faso on August 4, 1984 (formerly Republic of Upper Volta) - **Current Head of State**: Ibrahim Traoré (since October 6, 2022) - **Recent Political Change**: January 2022 Burkina Faso coup d'état - **Capital**: Ouagadougou - **Government Type**: Military junta (as of 2022) - **Languages**: French is the official language; numerous national languages include Mooré, Dioula, and Bissa - **Administrative Divisions**: 13 regions and 45 provinces - **International Memberships**: United Nations, African Union, World Trade Organization, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation, ECOWAS, UEMOA - **Currency**: West African CFA franc - **GDP (2023)**: $20,324,617,844 - **Population (2023)**: ~23,025,776 - **HDI (2021)**: 0.449 (Low human development) - **Gini Coefficient (2018)**: 47.3 - **Unemployment Rate (2014)**: 3% - **Timezone**: Africa/Ouagadougou (UTC±00:00) - **Emergency Numbers**: 112 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire) - **Top-Level Domain**: .bf - **ISO Codes**: BF (Alpha-2), BFA (Alpha-3), 854 (Numeric), 854 (M49) - **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: BF - **Mobile Country Code**: 613 - **Maritime Identification Digits**: 633 - **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic - **Electricity**: 220 volts, 50 Hz; plug types include Europlug, Type E - **National Flag**: Red and green horizontal stripes with a yellow five-pointed star - **Anthem**: "Une Seule Nuit" - **Area**: 274,200 km² - **Highest Point**: Mount Tenakourou (749 meters) - **Lowest Point**: Black Volta (200 meters) - **Bordering Countries**: Benin, Ivory Coast, Ghana, Mali, Niger, Togo ## FAQs **What type of government does Burkina Faso currently have?** Burkina Faso is currently governed by a military junta following the January 2022 coup d'état. The head of state is Ibrahim Traoré, who assumed power on October 6, 2022. **What is the history of Burkina Faso’s government?** Burkina Faso gained independence from France on August 5, 1960. The country has experienced multiple political transitions, including military coups and democratic governments. The most recent major shift was the 2022 coup, which established the current military junta. **What international organizations is the government a member of?** The government of Burkina Faso is a member of several international organizations, including the United Nations (since 1960), African Union, World Trade Organization, Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (since 1974), ECOWAS, and UEMOA. **What are the key economic indicators of Burkina Faso?** As of 2023, Burkina Faso's nominal GDP was $20,324,617,844. The Gini coefficient was 47.3 in 2018, indicating significant income inequality. The unemployment rate was 3% in 2014. **What are the government's administrative divisions?** Burkina Faso is divided into 13 regions and 45 provinces. These include Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, Centre-Est, Centre-Nord, Centre-Ouest, Centre-Sud, Est, Hauts-Bassins, Nord, Plateau-Central, Sahel, and Sud-Ouest. **What is the human development status of the country?** Burkina Faso's Human Development Index (HDI) was 0.449 in 2021, classified as "Low." The Inequality-adjusted HDI was 0.315, indicating significant disparities in human development outcomes. **What are the national symbols of Burkina Faso?** The national flag consists of red and green horizontal stripes with a yellow five-pointed star. The national anthem is "Une Seule Nuit," and the motto is "Unity–Progress–Justice." **What languages are recognized by the government?** French is the official language. National languages include Mooré, Bissa, Dioula, and over 60 others, reflecting the country's linguistic diversity. ## Why It Matters The Government of Burkina Faso plays a central role in the political, economic, and social development of a country with one of the fastest-growing populations in West Africa. Its governance directly impacts regional stability, international cooperation, and the implementation of development policies. The government's structure and leadership transitions, including periods of military rule, influence both domestic policy and international relations. As a member of key regional and global organizations, it contributes to broader West African diplomacy and development initiatives. Its policies on agriculture, education, and infrastructure are critical to addressing high levels of poverty and inequality, as reflected in its low HDI and high Gini coefficient. The government also manages a diverse cultural landscape, balancing numerous ethnic groups and languages under a unified national framework. ## Notable For - **Military Junta Rule**: Currently governed by a military junta since the 2022 coup - **High Population Growth**: From 4.8 million in 1960 to over 23 million in 2023 - **Cultural and Linguistic Diversity**: Over 60 national languages are spoken - **Political Instability**: A history of coups and transitions between military and civilian rule - **International Engagement**: Active membership in the UN, AU, ECOWAS, and UEMOA - **Low Human Development Index**: HDI of 0.449 (2021) and Gini coefficient of 47.3 (2018) - **Economic Base**: Agriculture-driven economy with cotton as a major export - **Name Change**: Renamed from the Republic of Upper Volta to Burkina Faso in 1984 - **Administrative Structure**: 13 regions and 45 provinces with decentralized governance - **National Symbols**: Unique flag, anthem, and motto reflecting national identity ## Body ### History and Independence The Government of Burkina Faso traces its origins to the country's independence from France on August 5, 1960. Initially known as the Republic of Upper Volta, the nation was renamed Burkina Faso on August 4, 1984, under President Thomas Sankara. The name translates to "Land of Upright People" in local languages. The government has experienced multiple political transitions, including periods of military rule and democratic reforms, with the most recent shift to a military junta occurring in January 2022 following a coup d'état. ### Government Structure and Political Climate The current government is a military junta, with leadership assumed by Ibrahim Traoré in October 2022. The government has undergone several leadership changes due to coups, including the 1983 military transition and the 2022 coup that established the current junta. The political system has oscillated between democratic and military rule, reflecting the country's complex governance history. ### Demographics and Society Burkina Faso has a population of approximately 23,025,776 as of 2023. The government administers a diverse society with over 60 national languages, including Mooré, Dioula, and French as the official language. The population is largely rural, with agriculture being a key livelihood. The government addresses challenges related to low human development (HDI 0.449 in 2021) and high income inequality (Gini 47.3 in 2018). ### Economy and Infrastructure The economy is primarily agricultural, with cotton as a major export. The government manages a GDP of $20,324,617,844 (2023) and an unemployment rate of 3% (2014). Infrastructure development is a key policy area, with efforts to improve electricity access, road networks, and telecommunications. The currency is the West African CFA franc, and the country is part of the West African Economic and Monetary Union (UEMOA). ### International Relations and Memberships The government maintains diplomatic relations with numerous countries and is a member of international organizations such as the United Nations, African Union, World Trade Organization, and the Organisation of Islamic Cooperation. It plays a role in regional bodies like ECOWAS and UEMOA, contributing to West African political and economic integration. ### Symbols and Culture National symbols include the flag (red and green stripes with a yellow star), the anthem "Une Seule Nuit," and the motto "Unity–Progress–Justice." These symbols reflect the government's efforts to promote national identity and cohesion in a culturally diverse environment. ### Administrative Divisions Burkina Faso is divided into 13 regions and 45 provinces, including Boucle du Mouhoun, Cascades, Centre, and Sahel, among others. These divisions are managed by regional authorities under the central government to ensure localized governance and development. ### Technical Identifiers and Standards - **Internet TLD**: .bf - **ISO Codes**: Alpha-2: BF, Alpha-3: BFA, Numeric: 854 - **Mobile Country Code**: 613 - **Aircraft Registration Prefix**: BF - **Maritime Identification Digits**: 633 - **Timezone**: Africa/Ouagadougou (UTC±00:00) - **Emergency Numbers**: 112 (medical), 17 (police), 18 (fire) - **Electricity**: 220 volts, 50 Hz; plug types include Europlug, Type E - **Driving Side**: Right-hand traffic - **Licence Plate Code**: BF (since 1990) These identifiers and standards are used for international recognition and domestic administration.