After a Council of Ministers meeting in the capital on Thursday, officials said that Burkina Faso’s transitional government, led by President Captain Ibrahim Traoré, passed a broad decree requiring significant companies to build their headquarters in the country.
The policy, which was approved by the cabinet on February 12 in Ouagadougou, applies to companies that made at least 5 billion CFA francs (about $8.8 million) in the last three fiscal years, according to AFP.
It is part of a bigger effort to boost economic independence and make businesses stronger in Burkina Faso.
The new rules put businesses into four groups based on how much money they make. People in the top category, who make 100 billion CFA francs or more, must build headquarters that are at least seven stories tall (R+7) and have parking spaces both above and below ground. They also have to meet energy efficiency standards.
Companies with modest revenues must develop buildings that are three to five stories tall, with parking and structural needs that match.
The order gives enterprises that are affected six months to send detailed plans to a government commission that will look them over and approve them. Companies have up to 36 months to finish building once their proposals have been approved.
Authorities claimed that to make it easier for businesses to follow the rules, the state will provide them exemptions on building supplies and let them buy serviced land through the National Urban Land Development Company (SONATUR).
Officials from the government argue that the policy is meant to promote urban growth, create jobs, and get more taxes by making it easier for businesses to stay in Burkina Faso. The transitional legislative assembly passed the statute that made the requirement in late 2025.
Analysts note that the directive is in line with President Traoré’s economic policy, which stresses national control over important economic activity.
But critics are worried about how much it would cost foreign investors and how it might affect the economic climate. People will be looking to see how the rules are followed in the next few months.
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