Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone
Sierra Leone expressed solidarity with Burkina Faso during Julius Maada Bio’s September 2025 visit. The presidential meeting addressed security, peace and regional unity, with both bilateral and Economic Community of West African States dimensions.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08Bilateral context
Julius Maada Bio met Ibrahim Traoré in Ouagadougou on 16 September 2025, followed by discussions expanded to both delegations.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, goods trade between Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone totalled 0.126 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, vehicles and components stands out in shipments from Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone, at 0.0445 million USD in 2024.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 0.126 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone | 0.0759 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Sierra Leone to Burkina Faso | 0.0502 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone | 0.00134 % | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Export share: Sierra Leone to Burkina Faso | ||
| Investment stock: Burkina Faso in Sierra Leone | ||
| Investment stock: Sierra Leone in Burkina Faso |
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
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter BFA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter BFA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Goods: Sierra Leone to Burkina Faso
- 2024 · UN Comtrade · Goods; full calendar year; reporter BFA. Exports normally FOB and imports CIF; no addition of mirror declarations. Both directions are identified from the same customs authority.
- Export share: Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone
- 2024 · 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.
| Indicator | Burkina Faso | Sierra Leone |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 27.63 billion USD2025 · WB | 7.46 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 1,147.57 USD2025 · WB | 846.3 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 5.29 %2025 · WB | 4.61 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | ||
| Inflation · annual average | -0.59 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | 7.49 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | ||
| Unemployment | 3.48 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 3.15 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -3.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -4.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 52 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 45.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | -3.97 %2024 · WB | -14.12 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 24,074,5802025 · WB | 8,819,7942025 · WB |
| Area | 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 USDBurkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personBurkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Burkina Faso: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · Annual average CPI change (%) · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- 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 institutionBurkina 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.Sierra Leone: 2025 · ILO modelled estimate; percentage of the labour force · World Bank · ILO est. · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Budget balance
- General government (% of GDP)Burkina Faso: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Sierra Leone: 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)Burkina Faso: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.Sierra Leone: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPBurkina Faso: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2024 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Population
- PeopleBurkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.Sierra Leone: 2025 · World Bank · Official World Bank series. Observation year, not download date.
- Area
- Total area in km²; territorial coverage of the sourceBurkina 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.
Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Vehicles and components | 0.0445 M USD2024 · Source |
Sierra Leone to Burkina Faso
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Pharmaceutical products | 0.0301 M USD2024 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 0.00469 M USD2024 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 0.00463 M USD2024 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0.0033 M USD2024 · Source |
Connections between people
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Burkina Faso living in Sierra Leone | ||
| Residents from Sierra Leone living in Burkina Faso | ||
| Study and training: Burkina Faso in Sierra Leone | ||
| Study and training: Sierra Leone in Burkina Faso | ||
| Academic stays: Burkina Faso in Sierra Leone | ||
| Academic stays: Sierra Leone in Burkina Faso | ||
| Travel: Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone | ||
| Travel: Sierra Leone to Burkina Faso |
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 Burkina Faso is 27.6 billion USD (2025), compared with 7.5 for Sierra Leone (2025). The reference populations are 24.07 and 8.82 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Burkina Faso was 3.7 times that of Sierra Leone 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. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Bilateral context
Julius Maada Bio met Ibrahim Traoré in Ouagadougou on 16 September 2025, followed by discussions expanded to both delegations. Although the page was published in October, the account identifies September as the visit date. [1]
Cooperation and bilateral issues
Bio described it as his second visit and explained he came on his own, Sierra Leone’s and ECOWAS’ behalf. He expressed support for Burkinabè people amid insecurity and advocated preserving West African unity. He also indicated sharing experience with Traoré. The statement focuses outcomes on solidarity and peace and development dialogue; it announces no Sierra Leonean military deployments, defence guarantees or operational agreement to infer from these political expressions. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, merchandise trade between the two countries (Burkina Faso and Sierra Leone) totalled 0.126 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 0.0759 million; those in the opposite direction, 0.0502 million. The difference between the two flows was 0.0257 million, in favour of Burkina Faso. 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 Burkina Faso to the partner represented 0.00134% of its worldwide goods exports in 2024. 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]
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, vehicles and components stands out in shipments from Burkina Faso to Sierra Leone, at 0.0445 million USD in 2024. Within the selected chapters, pharmaceutical products stands out in shipments from Sierra Leone to Burkina Faso, at 0.0301 million USD in 2024. 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. [3]
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.
- Bilateral relations — BFA-SLE
gouvernement.gov.bf · 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
- 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
- NY.GDP.MKTP.CD; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — population
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- SP.POP.TOTL; ISO and reference year; no military dataset expansion
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
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.