Burkina Faso: environment

How much rain does Burkina Faso get?

Ouagadougou recorded 1,012.5 mm of rain in 2024, according to the National Statistical Yearbook 2024, up from 816.5 mm in 2023. Bobo-Dioulasso, in the south-west, recorded 1,315.0 mm and Ouahigouya, in the north, 708.5 mm.

In the yearbook's figures, southern stations such as Bobo-Dioulasso and Gaoua receive more rain than northern ones such as Ouahigouya. The yearbook gives annual rainfall, rain days and season length for the main weather stations. Data for Dori in the Sahel region are missing for 2022 to 2024. The National Meteorological Agency publishes forecasts and seasonal outlooks.

Official sources: INSD: National Statistical Yearbook 2024 (PDF)

How many people in Burkina Faso have electricity?

34% of Burkina Faso's population had access to electricity in 2024, according to the World Bank, based on household surveys and modelled estimates.

Access counts people living in households with an electricity connection, including off-grid solar systems. Renewable energy made up 71.4% of final energy consumption in 2022 on the World Bank renewables indicator. That indicator covers all final energy use, including fuels for cooking, not only electricity.

Official sources: World Bank: Access to electricity, Burkina Faso · World Bank: Renewable energy consumption, Burkina Faso

What are the CO2 emissions of Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso's carbon dioxide emissions were 0.27 tonnes per person in 2024, according to the World Bank. Total greenhouse gas emissions, including methane and nitrous oxide, were 34.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent, on the World Bank total emissions indicator.

The CO2 figure covers carbon dioxide only, while the total also counts other gases converted to CO2 equivalents. These figures exclude land use and forestry. The World Bank takes them from the EDGAR database.

Official sources: World Bank: CO2 emissions per capita, Burkina Faso · World Bank: Total greenhouse gas emissions, Burkina Faso

What are Burkina Faso's CO2 emissions per person?

The European Commission's EDGAR database puts carbon dioxide emissions per person in Burkina Faso at 0.3 tonnes in 2024. The peak was 0.3 tonnes in 2021 and the low 0.1 tonnes in 2006. It is 31st highest of 47 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 0.4 tonnes. World rank, highest first: 165th of 186.

How much greenhouse gas does Burkina Faso emit?

The latest figure from the European Commission's EDGAR database, for 2024, is 34.9 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Its high point since 2005 was 2022, at 35.7 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; its low point was 2005, at 20.5 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 24.6 million tonnes of CO2 equivalent; Burkina Faso is 18th highest of 47. Worldwide: 100th of 186.

How much renewable energy does Burkina Faso use?

71.4%: that is the renewable share of final energy use in Burkina Faso for 2022, according to the IEA, IRENA, the UN Statistics Division, the World Bank and the WHO. Since 2005 it has ranged from 71.2% (2021) to 85.4% (2005). It is 10th highest of 23 in Sub-Saharan Africa, where the median is 70.0%. Worldwide: 11th of 53.

How much of Burkina Faso is forest?

12.3%: that is forest area as a share of land in Burkina Faso for 2024, according to the FAO. No year since 2005 has been lower. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 22.2%; Burkina Faso is 34th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 142nd of 190.

What is PM2.5 air pollution in Burkina Faso?

In 2023, average exposure to fine particle air pollution (PM2.5) in Burkina Faso was 37.3 micrograms per cubic metre, according to the Global Burden of Disease study. Since 2005 it has ranged from 34.1 micrograms per cubic metre (2019) to 48.7 micrograms per cubic metre (2015). Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 27.5 micrograms per cubic metre, and Burkina Faso placed 11th highest of 48. Worldwide: 28th of 192.

How much of Burkina Faso is in national parks and reserves?

According to the UN Environment Programme, the share of land in protected areas in Burkina Faso was 16.8% in 2025. It is the top of the series, which starts in 2013. Across Sub-Saharan Africa the middle value was 16.9%, and Burkina Faso placed 25th highest of 48. World rank, highest first: 103rd of 192.

What is water stress in Burkina Faso?

The FAO puts water stress in Burkina Faso at 7.8% in 2022. It has not changed since 2005. Sub-Saharan Africa median: 5.1%; Burkina Faso is 21st highest of 47. Of 175 countries with 2022 data, 101st highest.