(Formerly: UPPER VOLTA)

(WIPO code: BF) (latest review October 2023)

by CABINET ISIS CONSEILS, Mandataire OAPI, Yaoundé, Cameroon

General Information

Area

274,200 sq. km.

Population

22,489,126 (2023).

Capital

Ouagadougou.

Official language

French.

Currency

C.F.A. franc.

Main agricultural and natural products

Cereals, sugar cane, groundnuts, cotton, forestry and farming.

Main Mineral Products

Phosphate, gold and manganese.

Main exports

Cotton, livestock, shea butter and gold.

GNI

(per capita): U.S.$ 840 (estimated 2022).

General Remarks

A former French colony, part of French West Africa, Upper Volta obtained its internal administrative autonomy and became a member of the French Community in 1958 and later achieved its full independence on August 5, 1960.

The economy is mainly based on agriculture (80%). Small deposits of gold, chromium, copper, iron and manganese are known to exist, and their extraction has begun only recently.