The president of the Burkinabé Notaries Order, Me Yacouba Dembélé, has made a shocking revelation about the state of entrepreneurship in Burkina Faso. In an interview on 3TV's "Le tribunal de l'actualité" on November 4, 2026, Dembélé stated that a staggering 98% of businesses in the country are created with fake documents. This includes false capital declarations and other acts that contravene national legislation.
According to Dembélé, the ease of creating businesses in Burkina Faso has led to a surge in fake entrepreneurship. He cited the existence of "small offices" that offer their services to anyone looking to start a business, often with fake capital and fictitious documents. The notary president emphasized that such practices undermine the credibility of businesses and the economy as a whole.
Dembélé explained that the problem lies in the fact that anyone can create a business in Burkina Faso without proper verification of documents. He noted that at the Maison de l'Entreprise, where businesses are registered, one can see the large number of businesses being created, but many of them die soon after. The notary president stressed that a credible business must be founded on real bases, not fake documents.
The Burkinabé notary community has long advocated for stricter regulations on business creation. Dembélé recalled that notaries are professionals responsible for drafting and verifying documents to ensure their legality. He emphasized that the simplification of business creation procedures should not lead to neglect of irregularities.
The issue of fake businesses is particularly concerning in Burkina Faso, where entrepreneurship is encouraged, especially among young people. Dembélé's revelation highlights the need for greater scrutiny of business creation processes to prevent such malpractices. The government and relevant authorities have been urged to take action to address this issue.
In related news, the Burkinabé government has taken steps to strengthen regulations on public procurement. In 2025, 156 businesses were suspended for irregularities. The General Directorate of Taxes (DGI) has also strengthened the capacities of its agents to accelerate digitalization.
The issue of fake businesses in Burkina Faso has significant implications for the country's economy and development. As the government continues to encourage entrepreneurship, it is essential to ensure that businesses are created and operate within a transparent and regulated framework. The president of the Notaries Order has called for greater vigilance and stricter regulations to prevent such malpractices.
Key points
- 98% of businesses in Burkina Faso are created with fake documents.
- The ease of creating businesses in Burkina Faso has led to a surge in fake entrepreneurship.
- The Burkinabé government has taken steps to strengthen regulations on public procurement and digitalization.
