Language
Overview
The official language is French. More and Dioula are also spoken. Partly English and Arabic.
Public Holidays
01/01/2022 New Year
03/08/2022 International Women’s Day
04/18/2022 easter monday
05/01/2022 Aid el Segheir (End of Ramadan)
05/01/2022 Labor Day
05/26/2022 Ascension of Christ
07/30/2022 El am Hejir (Islamic New Year)
08/04/2022 day of the revolution
08/05/2022 Independence Day
08/15/2022 Assumption Day
10/09/2022 Milad un Nabi (Birthday of Prophet Muhammad)
11/01/2022 all saints day
12/11/2022 proclamation of the republic
12/25/2022 Christmas
Source: Top-mba-universities.com
The dates given for Islamic holidays are calculated according to the lunar calendar and therefore shift from year to year.
During the fasting month of Ramadan, which precedes Eid al-Fitr, Muslims are forbidden to eat, drink or smoke from sunrise to sunset, which causes disruptions or deviations in the normal course of business (including reduced opening hours of shops and authorities) and therefore there may be restrictions for travelers.
Many restaurants outside the hotels are closed during the day, and the consumption of alcohol and cigarettes is restricted or e.g. T. even strictly forbidden, even for non-Muslim vacationers. In hotel complexes it must be taken into account that meals and drinks during Ramadan may only be taken in the hotel restaurant or in the room.
Travelers should expect increased sensitivity in religious matters as well as in respect of Islamic traditions.
Some interruptions may also occur during Eid al-Fitr. This festival, like Eid al-Adha, is indefinite and can last from 2-10 days depending on the region.
Duty free shopping
Overview
The following items can be brought into Burkina Faso duty-free in hand luggage (tourists aged 15 and over): – 200 cigarettes or 100 cigarillos or 25 cigars or 250 g of tobacco; – 1L spirits and 1L wine; – 500ml of eau de toilette and 250ml of perfume. Permission from the Ministry of Administration is required for the use of photo, film and video cameras. More information is available from Countryaah.com.
Export Restrictions
An export permit from the Ministry of Culture in Ouagadougou is required for traditional art and everyday objects of all kinds. Only five such items can be exported per person, on which export duty is payable.
Contact addresses
Embassy of Burkina Faso
Avenue de France 23
Geneva
Switzerland
+41 (0)22 734 63 30.
http://www.ambaburkinafaso-ch.org Embassy of Burkina Faso
Honorary Consulate General in Vienna.
Strohgasse 14c/5
Vienna
Austria
+43 (0)1 503 82 64.
http://www.ambaburkina-at.org
http://www.ambaburkina-at.org
Mon-Fri 09.00-13.00 and 14.00-16.00.
Embassy of Burkina Faso
Honorary consuls in Hanover, Munich and Potsdam.
Karolingerplatz 10-11
Berlin
Germany
+49 (0)30 30 10 59 90.
http://www.embassy-bf.org
http://www.embassy-bf.org
Mon, Tue, Thu, Fri 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. Consular Dept.: Mon, Tues, Thurs, Fri 09.00-12.00.
Business
Business etiquette
A suit is worn on official occasions, otherwise just a shirt and tie are appropriate. Most officials wear national dress. Business language is French; Interpretation services are available. Business hours: Mon-Fri 07.00-12.30 and 15.00-17.30.
Business contacts
Chambre de Commerce et d’Industrie du Burkina Faso (Chamber of Commerce and Industry) Avenue de Lyon, 01 BP 502, Ouagadougou 01, Burkina Faso Tel. +226 (0)25 30 61 14/15. Website: www.cci.bf
Communication
Phone
International direct dialing.
Mobile phone
GSM 900. The main network operators are Celtel Burkina Faso (Internet: www.bf.celtel.com/fr/index.html or www.msi-cellular.com), Onatel (Internet: www.onatel.bf) and Telecel Faso SA (Internet : www.telecelfaso.bf). The transmission and reception range covers the largest places in the country. Mobile phones can be rented on site for a large deposit. More information from Onatel. Roaming contracts exist.
Internet
According to Abbreviationfinder.org, Internet and email access is available in some hotels and in Internet cafes in the major cities. Internet providers are FasoNet and Cenatrin. Due to frequent power failures, there may be disabilities when using the Internet.
Post office
There are only a few post offices, but stamps can also be obtained from hotels. Poste restante shipments are possible, a fee will be charged on collection. Mail delivery is unknown, correspondence for all authorities and offices is addressed to a PO box. Airmail to Europe takes up to 2 weeks. Opening hours: Mon-Fri 07.30-12.30 and 15.00-17.30. Ouagadougou Central Post Office is open Mon-Sat 08:30-12:00 and 15:00-18:30.
Radio
Since the use of shortwave frequencies changes several times over the course of a year, it is advisable to contact Deutsche Welle customer service directly for the current frequencies (Tel: (+49) (0228) 429 32 08. Internet: www.dw-world.de) to request.
