In Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso’s economic recovery is being tested by a fresh wave of external shocks, even as the country records one of its strongest fiscal performances, in recent years. While security is improved in some areas, falling inflation and soaring gold prices, have helped stabilize the economy in 2025. Rising fertilizer/energy costs have worsened the regional insecurity; and declining humanitarian assistance, are threatening the livelihoods of millions of Burkinabè families.
Burkina Faso has secured new financial support from the International Monetary Fund (IMF) towards protecting vulnerable communities from rising food and energy costs, while sustaining hard-won economic gains in the face of ongoing security and humanitarian challenges. The International Monetary Fund (IMF), in its latest review under the Extended Credit Facility (ECF) and the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), has endorsed additional financial support for Burkina Faso, recognizing the country’s commitment to economic reforms despite operating in one of the world’s most fragile environments.
The IMF Executive Board has completed the fifth review of Burkina Faso’svirtually and approved an additional SDR 60.20 million, equivalent to 50 percent of the country’s IMF quota, bringing the total access under the programme to SDR 288.96 million. The Board also approved the first review under the Resilience and Sustainability Facility (RSF), unlocking an immediate SDR 16.42 million to support climate resilience and long-term development.
The latest funding comes at a critical time for Burkina Faso. While the frequency of terrorist attacks has eased, insecurity continues to force thousands of families from their homes, disrupt farming activities, and deepen food insecurity across many rural communities. The country is also grappling with soaring global fertilizer and fuel prices, reduced humanitarian assistance, and the spillover effects of conflict in neighboring Mali, all of which have placed additional pressure on household incomes and government finances.
Despite these setbacks, Burkina Faso delivered one of its strongest economic performances in recent years. Economic growth reached 5.3 percent in 2025, driven largely by higher gold prices and increased mining activity. Inflation fell to -0.5 percent, easing pressure on consumers, while strong export earnings from gold helped transform the country’s external balance from deficit to surplus.
Equally significant was the government’s fiscal performance. Through tighter budget management and disciplined public spending, Burkina Faso reduced its fiscal deficit from 5.8 percent of GDP in 2024 to just 1.8 percent in 2025, far exceeding programme targets. The improved fiscal position has created valuable policy space, allowing authorities to respond to emerging crises without derailing long-term economic reforms.
The IMF-backed support is expected to translate into practical relief for the Burkinabès. Additional resources will help finance temporary and targeted measures to cushion farmers from the sharp rise in fertilizer costs, helping protect agricultural production, stabilize food supplies and safeguard rural livelihoods. The support is also expected to ease pressure on vulnerable households facing rising transport, cooking fuel, and living costs.
Continue reading with Eandel
Subscribe to unlock the complete story and receive your subscriber benefits.
