The Burkinabé government has introduced new regulations requiring importers of certain products to obtain special authorization. As of October 8, 2026, importers of detergents, tomato concentrates, bleach, and soap must apply for an Authorization spéciale d'importation (ASI). This move aims to promote national production, protect consumers, and monitor commercial exchanges. The decree was revised by the Council of Ministers to include these products, which are now subject to special import and export authorization.
According to Haoua Sorgho, Secretary Permanent of the Single Window for Trade and Investment, the new regulations are part of the government's efforts to support industrial development and protect consumers. The President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traoré, has made industrialization a key pillar of the country's economic development since September 30, 2022. As a result, several industrial units have been established, producing a range of products, including those previously imported.
The government's decision to regulate the importation of these products is aimed at supporting local industries and ensuring the availability of goods on the national market. Sorgho emphasized that the new measures will not restrict the availability of these products but rather ensure their smooth distribution and protect consumers. The decree has been revised four times since 2022 to account for new products, including cotton yarn, animal feed, and fresh tomatoes.
The introduction of these regulations follows significant investment in the production of these goods. In the detergent and tomato concentrate sectors, 23 units have been established since 2022, with investments totaling nearly 26 billion F CFA and creating over 1,700 jobs. National production capacity for detergents, for example, exceeds 115,000 tons, compared to imports of around 50,000 tons.
Sorgho assured that the government has considered the demand for these products and the capacity of local industries to meet it. The new regulations are designed to support the growth of local industries and ensure a stable supply of essential goods. The government aims to strike a balance between promoting national production and allowing for the importation of goods that complement local offerings.
The Single Window for Trade and Investment will be responsible for implementing the new regulations and monitoring their impact. Sorgho called on all stakeholders to cooperate fully with the new measures, which are expected to have a positive effect on the economy and consumers. The government is committed to supporting industrial development and protecting consumers through these regulations.
The revised decree is part of a broader effort to promote economic development and industrialization in Burkina Faso. The government aims to create a favorable business environment, support local industries, and ensure the availability of essential goods. The new regulations will be closely monitored, and their impact assessed, to ensure they achieve their intended objectives.
Key points
- Importers of detergents, tomato concentrates, bleach, and soap must now obtain special authorization.
- The new regulations aim to promote national production, protect consumers, and monitor commercial exchanges.
- Local industries have invested heavily in the production of these goods, with significant job creation and production capacity.
