Despite global tensions and rising costs, Burkina Faso's economy continues to show signs of progress. The country's economic growth is projected to reach 5.7% in 2026, up from 5.3% in 2025, according to the Direction générale de l'économie et de la planification's (DGEP) August 2026 economic report. This growth is largely attributed to the agriculture and mining sectors, which are driving the country's economic activity.
The mining sector, particularly gold production, has seen significant growth. As of July 2026, industrial gold production reached 31,857 tonnes, a 12.8% increase from the previous year. In July alone, 5,105 tonnes of gold were produced, representing a 27.4% increase compared to July 2025. This surge in gold production has contributed to a substantial increase in exports.
The country's exports have reached 5,418.4 billion FCFA as of July 2026, a 61.4% increase from the previous year. Gold accounts for 93.8% of the total export value, up from 88.1% the previous year. This has resulted in a trade surplus of 2,639.1 billion FCFA, with a coverage ratio of 195%. However, this growth also highlights a significant concentration of exports, with processed products making up only 1.5% of total exports.
On the domestic front, food prices have shown signs of improvement. In July, the price of white maize per kilogram decreased by 39.8% year-on-year, while the price of white sorghum and local millet decreased by 30% and 28.7%, respectively. The price of niébé also declined by 31.4% to 426 FCFA per kilogram.
The country's public finances have also shown notable improvements. As of July 2026, total revenue mobilized reached 2,527.9 billion FCFA, a 19.2% increase from the previous year. Tax revenues stood at 2,120.2 billion FCFA. In the microfinance sector, savings deposits increased by 25.2% to 659.1 billion FCFA, while outstanding credit reached 474.6 billion FCFA.
The microfinance sector also saw an improvement in non-performing loans, which decreased to 6.83% from 7.27% in the previous quarter. Overall, the available indicators as of July 2026 suggest a generally positive economic trend in Burkina Faso. The increase in gold production, improved public revenues, decline in food prices, and growth in savings deposits are all encouraging signs.
However, experts stress that this growth must be accompanied by increased economic diversification to better utilize local production and enhance the transformation of the country's resources. This will be crucial in sustaining the country's economic momentum and ensuring long-term stability.
Key points
- Burkina Faso's economy is projected to grow by 5.7% in 2026.
- The country's gold production has increased by 12.8% as of July 2026.
- Food prices have decreased significantly, with white maize prices down by 39.8% year-on-year.
