Benin and Burkina Faso
Benin and Burkina Faso link their cooperation to border security, transport and maritime access. Romuald Wadagni's visit to Ouagadougou in June 2026 produced commitments on corridors and a new joint commission session, without the statement asserting that they subsequently took place.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08Bilateral context
Romuald Wadagni visited Burkina Faso on 2 June 2026 and was received by Ibrahim Traoré.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, goods trade between Benin and Burkina Faso totalled 20.5 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, meat and edible offal stands out in shipments from Benin to Burkina Faso, at 4 million USD in 2025.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 20.49 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Benin to Burkina Faso | 19.12 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Burkina Faso to Benin | 1.37 M USD | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Benin to Burkina Faso | 2.31 % | 2025 · Comtrade |
| Export share: Burkina Faso to Benin | ||
| Investment stock: Benin in Burkina Faso | ||
| Investment stock: Burkina Faso in Benin |
Definitions and sources
Trade adds both directions. Shares refer to the country’s total goods exports; investment is an accumulated stock, not an annual flow. Every figure retains the currency and period of its source. BEA positions are historical-cost estimates based on the immediate counterpart, not market values or investment by ultimate owner. ‘More than’ indicates a lower bound, not an exact amount. A recorded stock does not establish new activity or authorisation to operate under sanctions.
- Goods trade
- 2025 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporting country BEN. Both directions come from the same verified customs document, not from adding mirror declarations together. Exports generally FOB; imports generally CIF.
- Goods: Benin to Burkina Faso
- 2025 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporting country BEN. Both directions come from the same verified customs document, not from adding mirror declarations together. Exports generally FOB; imports generally CIF.
- Goods: Burkina Faso to Benin
- 2025 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporting country BEN. Both directions come from the same verified customs document, not from adding mirror declarations together. Exports generally FOB; imports generally CIF.
- Export share: Benin to Burkina Faso
- 2025 · UN Comtrade · Exports to the partner / worldwide exports by the same reporter; same year and coverage.
Country comparison
Period and source beside each figure · est. = estimate by the stated institution.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Benin | Burkina Faso |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 24.57 billion USD2025 · WB | 27.63 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 1,658.27 USD2025 · WB | 1,147.57 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 8.07 %2025 · WB | 5.29 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | 1.1 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | -0.59 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 1.59 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 3.48 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -2.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -3.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 57.3 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 52 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -8.18 %2023 · WB | -3.97 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 14,814,4602025 · WB | 24,074,5802025 · WB |
| Area | 114,760 km²2023 · WB | 274,200 km²2023 · WB |
| Military expenditure | ||
| Military expenditure (% of GDP) |
Definitions, dates and sources
Blank cells are not zero. Average annual inflation and the latest year-on-year figure appear in separate rows: they are not the same measure. Every annual indicator retains its reference year; when the years differ, the figures are identified as not directly comparable. When a figure is unavailable from the World Bank, an annual IMF estimate is used and identified as such. The latest year-on-year figure is the latest official release verified as of 7 October 2026. This includes advance releases marked as provisional. Mexico may have a fortnightly figure before the full month is published; it is not automatically compared with a monthly figure. The publication date is retained in each source’s details; it does not replace the observation period or the annual average. Policy rates carry their own dates and represent different instruments. Spain and France share the ECB rate. Balances are positive for surpluses and negative for deficits. The IMF may use fiscal years; unemployment retains each source’s definition (ILO estimates, IMF WEO or PCBS), as stated in the details. For Palestine, debt and the fiscal balance cover central government and retain the PCBS definition; they are not presented as consolidated general government. These are economic magnitudes, not measures of relationship quality.
Area retains each source’s territorial coverage; it does not determine sovereignty or effective control. Canada uses an archived national geographic reference. Military expenditure retains the 2024 SIPRI sample distributed by the World Bank: the amount and percentage of GDP use that same definition, which differs from NATO’s. It is not an approved budget or a 2026 figure. Information from the Stockholm International Peace Research Institute (SIPRI). Military expenditure database · Terms of use0
Indicators reviewed: 2026-10-07. Each source retains its original access date; this review does not turn all the data into 2026 observations. Figures may be revised.
- Nominal GDP
- Current USDBenin: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personBenin: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Benin: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Benin: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Inflation · latest year-on-year figure
- Headline CPI relative to the same period of the previous year (%); monthly or fortnightly frequency stated
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionBenin: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Benin: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Burkina Faso: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Gross public debt
- General government (% of GDP)Benin: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Burkina Faso: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPBenin: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Population
- PeopleBenin: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceBenin: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Burkina Faso: 2023 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Military expenditure
- Current USD per year; SIPRI series
- Military expenditure (% of GDP)
- Percentage of GDP; SIPRI definition, not NATO’s definition
Other data specific to this relationship
What they buy and sell
Documented selection, not an exhaustive list. Cells without a figure do not mean zero value; some products are identified without a verified amount.
Benin to Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso to Benin
How trade has changed
Millions of current USD · full calendar years
View chart figures
| Period | Total | Benin to Burkina Faso | Burkina Faso to Benin |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2021 | 22.7 | 15.8 | 6.9 |
| 2022 | 16.7 | 9.8 | 6.9 |
| 2023 | 13.8 | 5.5 | 8.3 |
| 2024 | 20.6 | 14.8 | 5.8 |
| 2025 | 20.5 | 19.1 | 1.4 |
Connections between people
The governments also identified opportunities in industry, crafts, technical training and investment. The presidents instructed preparation of the fifth session of the Grand Joint Cooperation Commission and acceleration of pending draft agreements: these are instructions and negotiations, not a session already held or new treaties in force. They acknowledged family ties and resident communities in both countries. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Benin living in Burkina Faso | ||
| Residents from Burkina Faso living in Benin | ||
| Study and training: Benin in Burkina Faso | ||
| Study and training: Burkina Faso in Benin | ||
| Academic stays: Benin in Burkina Faso | ||
| Academic stays: Burkina Faso in Benin | ||
| Travel: Benin to Burkina Faso | ||
| Travel: Burkina Faso to Benin |
What each figure measures
Residents are counted by nationality and the coverage of the stated register, not as people born in the other country or as new arrivals in one year. PERE includes dual nationals and people born outside Spain. Study with OPT and stays carrying academic credit are different measures. Travel may include several visits by the same person; FRONTUR arrivals require an overnight stay, whereas the Canadian survey includes day visits. These figures are neither added together nor automatically compared across directions.
Mobility data added or reviewed: 2026-10-07. Reference periods may be earlier.
Underlying ties
History, institutions and long-standing issues.
The scale of both economies
Nominal GDP for Benin is 24.6 billion USD (2025), compared with 27.6 for Burkina Faso (2025). The reference populations are 14.81 and 24.07 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Benin was 0.889 times that of Burkina Faso in nominal GDP. The comparison provides context on market size, but does not, on its own, measure influence, well-being or diplomatic closeness. Estimates and their sources retain their labels in the tables. [5] [6]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Bilateral context
Romuald Wadagni visited Burkina Faso on 2 June 2026 and was received by Ibrahim Traoré. The joint statement identifies terrorism, cross-border organized crime and violent extremism as threats requiring cooperation between neighbors. [1]
Cooperation and bilateral issues
In the economy, the port of Cotonou stands out as a supply route for Burkina Faso, alongside the need to facilitate transit, transport and logistics. The governments also identified opportunities in industry, crafts, technical training and investment. The presidents instructed preparation of the fifth session of the Grand Joint Cooperation Commission and acceleration of pending draft agreements: these are instructions and negotiations, not a session already held or new treaties in force. They acknowledged family ties and resident communities in both countries. Wadagni invited Traoré to Benin; he accepted, but the date and arrangements remained to be determined. The visit documents diplomatic revival without in itself establishing a military alliance. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2025, merchandise trade between the two countries (Benin and Burkina Faso) totalled 20.5 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 19.1 million; those in the opposite direction, 1.4 million. The difference between the two flows was 17.8 million, in favour of Benin. This is a goods balance, not the total balance of the economic relationship: it excludes services, income and transfers. Both directions come from a single customs reporter to avoid adding mirror records. [2]
The partner's share of exports
Sales from Benin to the partner represented 2.31% of its worldwide goods exports in 2025. The share compares the same reporter, year and coverage. It measures export concentration, not the percentage of GDP dependent on this relationship. A partner may be important in a specific sector even if its share of total goods trade is small. [2]
Five years of trade trends
The consistent series shows 22.7 million USD in 2021 and 20.5 million in 2025. The change between the two endpoints was -9.6 % in current dollars. The highest annual value in the period was recorded in 2021, at 22.7 million. The chart allows the two directions to be compared to see whether they moved together or differently. The change combines quantities, prices and exchange rates; it is not automatically attributed to a treaty, a visit or a political decision. The same reporter is retained and missing years are not interpolated. [3]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, meat and edible offal stands out in shipments from Benin to Burkina Faso, at 4 million USD in 2025. Within the selected chapters, dairy products, eggs and honey stands out in shipments from Burkina Faso to Benin, at 0.0077 million USD in 2025. The table compares eight selected chapters with the same coverage as the trade total. It is not a complete list or proof that the first item in this selection is the leading product across the entire relationship. A chapter groups numerous goods: machinery and components, for example, do not describe a single business transaction. [4]
Milestones and consequences
- 2026-06-02
Visit and joint statement
Wadagni and Traoré discussed security, logistics corridors and preparations for the fifth joint commission. The statement left a future visit to Benin awaiting a date. [1]
Sources and data
Periods and scope of the figures
Institutional sources and periods accompany each figure. Annual trade, investment positions, residents and visits are distinct measures. Empty cells do not mean zero. Statements of intent are not presented as project implementation or treaties in force.
- Joint communiqué Benin Burkina Faso 2 June 2026
gouvernement.gov.bf · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record; reused verified primary payload, not re-downloaded
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Trade series 2021–2025
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record
UN Comtrade · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
Additional sources on products and human connections
- UN Comtrade
2026-10-08 · Accessed: 2026-10-08 · Bounded matrix; reporter, partner, year, chapter and direction identified in each record.