BURKINA FASO

CURRENCY:

CFA Franc XOF (CFA = Communauté Financière Africaine)

DENOMINATIONS:

NOTE: XOF10,000, 5,000, 2,500, 1,000 and 500

COIN: XOF250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1

Please note: The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro. This country is also part of the French Monetary Area. Please be aware that only currency issued by the Bank of West African States (Banque des Etats de l'Afrique de l'Ouest ) is valid, and that currency issued by the the Bank of Central African States ( Banque des Etats de l'Afrique Centrale) IS NOT VALID

US DOLLAR ACCEPTED:

Euros are better aside from the local currency

CREDIT/DEBIT CARDS AND ATMS:

There is limited acceptance of MasterCard and Diners Club in Burkina. Please note THERE ARE NO ATMs AVAILABLE.

CURRENCY EXCHANGE:

Currency exchange is available in larger hotels and banks

TRAVELLER'S CHEQUES:

These are best in US Dollars or Euros, although cash might be easier to use in Burkina - Euros are best. Please note: if using traveller's cheques, keep all receipts as banks may require proof of purchase.

BANKING HOURS:

Mon-Thurs 0730-1130 and 1500-1600, Fri 0730-1130 and 1530-1700

CURRENCY RESTRICTIONS:

No restrictions provided declaration is provided

COUNTRY OVERVIEW:

Burkina Faso is a nation in West Africa. It is most usually referred to as Burkina. It is surrounded by Benin, Togo, Ghana, Mali, NIger and the Ivory Coast. Burkina was formerly called the Republic of Upper Volta but was renamed in 1984. Burkina gained independence from France in 1960. The official language is French but there are regional languages also spoken. The capital is called Ouagadougou.

POPULATION:

13,228,000

ECONOMY:

Burkina is the 28th poorest nation of the world, with one of the lowest GDP per capita incomes in the world at $1,200. The main proportion of the population work within agriculture, but high unemployment causes people to emigrate. International aid provides a large proportion of economic activity in Burkina.