Burkina faso Country Commercial Guide
Learn about the market conditions, opportunities, regulations, and business conditions in burkina faso, prepared by at U.S. Embassies worldwide by Commerce Department, State Department and other U.S. agencies’ professionals
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eCommerce
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General Overview

Burkina Faso’s eCommerce market is in its early stages but has strong growth potential, driven by increasing mobile penetration and a young, digitally savvy population. Business-to-Consumer (B2C) and Consumer-to-Consumer (C2C) transactions dominate, with growing interest in Business-to-Business (B2B) solutions. Popular online products include electronics, fashion, and beauty items, primarily purchased by urban dwellers and young adults with mobile access. The B2B sector is developing, focusing on supply chain logistics and digital infrastructure. The Transition Authorities are working on a legal framework for digital transactions and consumer protection, though it remains in progress. Mobile technology heavily influences consumer purchasing, with mobile money services like Orange Money and Moov Money leading the payment landscape. Cash-on-delivery is also widely used and trusted.

Social media platforms, particularly Facebook and TikTok, serve as informal marketplaces for B2C and C2C sales. American fintech company Wave has rapidly grown in the mobile money ecosystem by offering a flat one percent fee on transfers, significantly undercutting competitors. Wave’s success highlights the market’s openness to innovative, low-cost digital payment solutions and its collaboration with the Transition Authorities to improve financial inclusion.

Legal & Regulatory

The Transition Authorities have begun to develop a legal framework for digital transactions and consumer protection, though it is still evolving. There are no significant regulatory barriers specifically targeting U.S. firms at this time, but U.S. businesses should be aware of a developing legal environment. Laws related to consumer privacy and data protection are in a nascent stage. It is advisable to monitor local regulations to ensure compliance as the market matures.

Consumer Behavior

Consumer purchasing is heavily influenced by mobile technology, with mobile money services dominating the payment landscape. Orange Money and Moov Money are the two most prominent mobile money platforms. Cash-on-delivery is also a widely used and trusted payment method. Trends indicate a growing comfort with online shopping, particularly for goods that are difficult to find in local brick-and-mortar stores. Social media platforms, especially Facebook, are often used as de facto marketplaces for both B2C and C2C sales