Russia and Burkina Faso
Burkina Faso and Russian entities expanded their university and scientific cooperation in January 2026. The agreement covers academic mobility, training and knowledge exchange, and continues agreements between universities signed during the previous year.
Analysis reviewed: 2026-10-08 · Indicators updated: 2026-10-08Bilateral context
Burkina Faso's higher education minister, Adjima Thiombiano, and Nataliia Krasovskaia, executive director of Russia's Center for Public Diplomacy, signed the instrument in Ouagadougou on 12 January 2026.
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, goods trade between Russia and Burkina Faso totalled 753.4 million current USD.
Documented trade sectors
Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Russia to Burkina Faso, at 721.8 million USD in 2024.
Bilateral indicators
Blank cells: data unavailable.
| Indicator | Value | Period |
|---|---|---|
| Goods trade | 753.37 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Russia to Burkina Faso | 751.38 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Goods: Burkina Faso to Russia | 1.99 M USD | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Services trade | ||
| Export share: Russia to Burkina Faso | ||
| Export share: Burkina Faso to Russia | 0.0352 % | 2024 · Comtrade |
| Investment stock: Russia in Burkina Faso | ||
| Investment stock: Burkina Faso in Russia |
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: Russia 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.
- Goods: Burkina Faso to Russia
- 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 Russia
- 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.
Some annual indicators refer to different years. Check the period beside each value before comparing them.
| Indicator | Russia | Burkina Faso |
|---|---|---|
| Nominal GDP | 2.59 trillion USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 27.63 billion USD2025 · WB |
| GDP per capita | 17,972.12 USDIMF est.2025 · IMF | 1,147.57 USD2025 · WB |
| GDP growth | 1 %2025 · WB | 5.29 %2025 · WB |
| Policy interest rate | 14 %2026-09-11 · CBR | |
| Inflation · annual average | 8.72 %Annual average · 2025 · WB | -0.59 %Annual average · 2025 · WB |
| Inflation · latest year-on-year figure | 6.33 %Year-on-year · Aug. 2026 · CBR | |
| Unemployment | 2.13 %ILO est.2025 · WB | 3.48 %ILO est.2025 · WB |
| Budget balance (% of GDP) | -3.9 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | -3.5 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Gross public debt (% of GDP) | 17.2 %IMF est.2025 · IMF | 52 %IMF est.2025 · IMF |
| Current account balance (% of GDP) | 1.68 %2025 · WB | -3.97 %2024 · WB |
| Population | 143,997,000IMF est.2025 · IMF | 24,074,5802025 · WB |
| Area | 17,125,190 km²2023 · BM / FAO | 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.
For Russia, GDP, population and GDP per capita are estimates from the same IMF (WEO) dataset for 2025. The per-capita figure published by the IMF is used, rather than a calculation of our own. The earlier World Bank series could not be reconciled and are not mixed with this dataset. Review: 2026-10-07. IMF data terms of use0
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 USDRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP per capita
- Current USD per personRussia: 2025 · Nominal GDP per capita in current USD · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.Burkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- GDP growth
- Annual real change (%)Russia: 2025 · World BankBurkina Faso: 2025 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Policy interest rate
- Central bank instrument (%)Russia: 2026-09-11 · Bank of Russia policy rate · Bank of Russia
- Inflation · annual average
- Average annual change in headline CPI (%)Russia: 2025 · Annual average change in CPI (%) · World BankBurkina 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 statedRussia: 2026-08 · Change in headline CPI from the same month of the previous year (%) · Bank of Russia · Published: 2026-09-16 · Year-on-year CPI. The commentary's 6.9% is annualised seasonally adjusted monthly growth and is not used here.
- Unemployment
- % of the labour force; definition used by the stated institutionRussia: 2025 · World Bank · ILO est.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)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.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)Russia: 2025 · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est.Burkina Faso: 2025 · IMF · IMF est. · WEO general-government estimate, % of GDP. Not an observed balance for the current month.
- Current account balance
- % of GDPRussia: 2025 · World BankBurkina Faso: 2024 · World Bank · Annual World Bank observation, with its original year; not monthly data.
- Population
- PeopleRussia: 2025 · Population from the WEO series; do not mix with a denominator from another source · IMF — World Economic Outlook · IMF est. · IMF estimate (WEO). GDP, GDP per capita and population for this country come from the same WEO query for 2025; no separate GDP-per-capita figure has been calculated.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 sourceRussia: 2023 · Total area, including inland waters; territorial coverage as defined by the source · World Bank · FAOBurkina 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.
Russia to Burkina Faso
| Product or sector | Value / share |
|---|---|
| Mineral fuels and oils | 721.8 M USD2024 · Source |
| Pharmaceutical products | 1.3 M USD2024 · Source |
| Machinery and mechanical appliances | 0.044 M USD2024 · Source |
| Electrical and electronic equipment | 0.0179 M USD2024 · Source |
| Vehicles and components | 0.000162 M USD2024 · Source |
Burkina Faso to Russia
Connections between people
Its scope includes exchanging information and experience and organizing joint activities. The note recalls six university agreements signed on February 25, 2025, and places the new signing near the second anniversary of the Russian House in Ouagadougou. The Russian signatory counterpart is that public diplomacy center; the statement does not identify a general intergovernmental treaty or quantify scholarship holders who had already participated in exchanges. [1]
Residents, study and travel
Blank cells: data unavailable. Each measure retains its definition and period.
| Indicator | Value | Period / source |
|---|---|---|
| Residents from Russia living in Burkina Faso | ||
| Residents from Burkina Faso living in Russia | ||
| Study and training: Russia in Burkina Faso | ||
| Study and training: Burkina Faso in Russia | ||
| Academic stays: Russia in Burkina Faso | ||
| Academic stays: Burkina Faso in Russia | ||
| Travel: Russia to Burkina Faso | ||
| Travel: Burkina Faso to Russia |
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 Russia is 2,587.9 billion USD (2025), compared with 27.6 for Burkina Faso (2025). The reference populations are 144 and 24.07 million, respectively. In the same year, the economy of Russia was 93.67 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. [4] [5] [6] [7]
Recent developments
Recent developments and latest available data · Review: 2026-10-08
Bilateral context
Burkina Faso's higher education minister, Adjima Thiombiano, and Nataliia Krasovskaia, executive director of Russia's Center for Public Diplomacy, signed the instrument in Ouagadougou on 12 January 2026. Its scope includes exchanging information and experience and organizing joint activities. [1]
Cooperation and bilateral issues
Plans call for designing mobility programs for students, teachers and researchers, with stays, internships and summer schools. It also provides for scientific lectures, seminars, forums and roundtables. The note recalls six university agreements signed on February 25, 2025, and places the new signing near the second anniversary of the Russian House in Ouagadougou. The Russian signatory counterpart is that public diplomacy center; the statement does not identify a general intergovernmental treaty or quantify scholarship holders who had already participated in exchanges. [1]
What merchandise trade shows
In 2024, merchandise trade between the two countries (Russia and Burkina Faso) totalled 753.4 million current USD. Shipments from the first to the second were 751.4 million; those in the opposite direction, 2 million. The difference between the two flows was 749.4 million, in favour of Russia. 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 0.0352% 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, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Russia to Burkina Faso, at 721.8 million USD in 2024. Within the selected chapters, mineral fuels and oils stands out in shipments from Burkina Faso to Russia, at 2 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 — RUS-BFA
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 statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- Official series — gdp
World Bank · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-07
- Official statistics
IMF — World Economic Outlook · Institutional source · Accessed: 2026-10-08
- 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.