Gold Mining in Burkina Faso: Opportunities for Business 2026

Gold is the engine of Burkina Faso’s economy. It brings in most of the country’s export income, supplies a large share of government revenue and gives work to hundreds of thousands of miners. For businesses looking at West Africa, it is also a sector where new doors are opening.

Why gold matters so much in Burkina Faso

According to the World Bank, gold made up about 77% of Burkina Faso’s exports and 16% of its GDP in 2023, and roughly 22% of government revenue. Over the past decade it has overtaken cotton as the country’s top export.

Gold comes from two very different sources. Industrial mines, mostly run by companies from Canada, Australia and South Africa, produce at scale. Artisanal and small-scale miners work across the country and make up a growing share of official output.

How much gold does Burkina Faso produce?

Government figures point to about 61 tonnes in 2024 and a record of about 94 tonnes in 2025, including artisanal output. Several things drove the jump:

Mines restarting or expanding. Projects such as Youga, Bomboré and Kiaka added capacity after a difficult few years.
Better tracking of artisanal gold. A state buyer, SONASP, now runs buying counters, so more small-scale gold reaches official channels.
Higher global gold prices, which have made more projects worth running.

Treat these numbers as government-reported. The split between industrial and artisanal gold differs from one source to another.

Where are the opportunities?

The gold itself is only part of the story. A mine needs a long chain of goods and services, and much of that chain is open to outside businesses:

Machinery, spare parts, tyres and safety equipment
Fuel, power and solar systems for remote sites
Trucking and logistics, from port to mine gate
Construction, site camps, catering and cleaning
Drilling, engineering, environmental and safety services
Refining and value addition

The last point deserves attention. Burkina Faso has been building a domestic gold refinery, Raffinor, with a Malian partner. Completion was expected before the end of 2026, and refining at home would open up a new set of supply and service contracts.

What has changed in the sector?

The state now plays a bigger role than it used to. The government has revised the mining code, created a state mining company (SOPAMIB), taken over several mines and tightened controls on artisanal gold exports to reduce smuggling.

For investors and suppliers, the message is simple: the rules are still moving. Read the current code, confirm who owns and operates a site today, and check licences before signing anything.

What should businesses weigh before entering?

Security. Some mines have had to pause or reduce operations because of insecurity in parts of the country.
Regulation. Ownership rules and export controls have changed quickly and may change again.
Transport costs. Burkina Faso is landlocked, so equipment and exports move through ports in neighbouring countries.
Social and environmental risk. Artisanal mining needs careful handling, especially around safety and water.

A practical way in is to start as a supplier to a mine that is already operating, and to work with a trusted local partner who knows the permits, the sites and the people.

Find partners for your mining project

Looking for suppliers, contractors or service providers on the ground? Browse businesses in Burkina Faso on Afrikta to find companies you can approach directly.

Already working in the sector? List your business and get found by buyers, mine operators and partners across West Africa.