Burkina Faso – AML & Sanctions Compliance Guide 2025

Burkina Faso Country Profile

Burkina Faso maintains a developing financial sector with specific AML/CFT requirements. Key regulatory institutions include:

• Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) - Regional central bank and primary financial regulator
• National Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF) - National AML/CFT authority
• Ministry of Finance - Policy and regulatory oversight
• Banking Commission of WAEMU - Regional banking sector supervision

Burkina Faso Regulatory Framework

• Law No. 2016-022 on the Prevention and Suppression of Money Laundering and Terrorism Financing
• BCEAO Regulation No. 14/02/2002 on AML/CFT implementation
• Decree No. 2017-125 on Beneficial Ownership requirements
• Law No. 2015-054 on the Fight Against Corruption

Key compliance requirements:

• Mandatory KYC/CDD procedures for all customers
• Enhanced due diligence for PEPs and high-risk clients
• 10-year minimum data retention period
• Mandatory STR filing for suspicious transactions

Sanctions Regime

Burkina Faso implements UN sanctions and maintains domestic sanctions lists.

• Regular screening against UN and local watchlists
• Immediate asset freeze requirements
• Reporting obligations to CENTIF
• Compliance with both regional and international sanctions regimes

Risk Environment

Typologies:

• Corruption and bribery
• Trade-based money laundering
• Cash-based transactions
• Politically exposed persons (PEPs)
• Informal remittance systems
• Mining sector risks

High-risk sectors: Banking, mining, real estate, money remittance, mobile money, import/export

Reporting Requirements

Thresholds and Timelines:

• STR (Suspicious Transaction Report) filing: Within 24 hours of suspicion
• CTR (Currency Transaction Report): XOF 5,000,000 (approx. $8,500)
• PEP reporting: Mandatory for domestic and foreign PEPs
• Annual compliance reports: Due March 31st

Penalties:

• Non-compliance fines: Up to XOF 100,000,000
• License revocation for repeated violations
• Criminal liability for willful non-compliance

Data Protection & Privacy

• Data Protection Law requirements
• Mandatory data localization for financial records
• 10-year retention period for customer records
• Secure storage requirements for sensitive data
• Breach notification within 72 hours

Compliance Program

• Comprehensive KYC procedures
• Regular staff training programs
• Transaction monitoring systems
• PEP screening and enhanced due diligence
• Regular risk assessments

Supervisory Trends

• Increased focus on beneficial ownership transparency
• Enhanced scrutiny of cross-border transactions
• Stricter enforcement of KYC requirements
• Regular on-site inspections by BCEAO

Risk Assessment Framework

Required Elements:

• Customer risk scoring methodology
• Product and service risk assessment
• Geographic risk factors
• Transaction pattern analysis
• Regular risk review cycles (minimum quarterly)

Documentation Requirements:

• Risk assessment methodology documentation
• Risk scoring criteria and thresholds
• Review and approval records

Staff Training Requirements

Mandatory Training Topics:

• AML/CFT laws and regulations
• KYC and CDD procedures
• Sanctions screening
• Red flag indicators
• Reporting obligations

Training Frequency:

• New staff: Within 30 days of joining
• Annual refresher training
• Role-specific training for compliance staff

System Requirements

Recommended Systems:

• Basic transaction monitoring capabilities
• Manual or automated sanctions screening tools
• Customer risk assessment templates
• Document management system
• Basic reporting tools

Key Considerations:

• Systems should support French language
• Ability to generate reports in required formats
• Basic audit trail functionality
• Secure storage for customer documentation
• Compatibility with local reporting requirements

Record Keeping

Documentation Requirements:

• Customer identification records
• Transaction records and supporting documents
• Risk assessment documentation
• Training records and certifications
• Internal audit reports

Retention Periods:

• Customer records: 10 years after relationship ends
• Transaction records: 10 years from date of transaction
• Training records: 5 years
• Audit reports: 10 years

Financial Sector

Banks & Financial Institutions:

• Enhanced due diligence for correspondent banking
• Special monitoring for high-risk transactions
• Strict wire transfer regulations
• Mandatory reporting of cross-border transactions

Mobile Money Sector:

• Special focus on mobile money transactions
• Enhanced monitoring of large transfers
• Specific requirements for mobile money agents

Other Regulated Sectors

Mining Sector:

• Enhanced due diligence for mining companies
• Special reporting for large transactions
• Mining concession monitoring
• Transaction pattern analysis

Import/Export:

• Strict monitoring of trade transactions
• Mandatory reporting of large trade deals
• Enhanced due diligence for new trading partners

International Transactions

Key Requirements:

• Enhanced due diligence for cross-border wire transfers
• Mandatory reporting of international transactions above XOF 5,000,000
• Special attention to transactions with high-risk jurisdictions
• Documentation of foreign exchange transactions
• Compliance with both regional and international sanctions regimes

Correspondent Banking:

• Strict due diligence on foreign correspondent banks
• Regular review of correspondent banking relationships
• Monitoring of nested account activities
• Documentation of foreign bank certifications

Trade Finance

Documentation Requirements:

• Detailed trade documentation for all transactions
• Verification of shipping documents
• Commodity price verification
• Beneficiary verification

Risk Mitigation:

• Regular review of trade finance patterns
• Enhanced monitoring of high-value transactions
• Special attention to dual-use goods
• Documentation of trade finance controls

Common Challenges

Operational Challenges:

• Limited access to reliable customer data
• High volume of cash transactions
• Complex ownership structures
• Language barriers in documentation
• Limited technological infrastructure

Regulatory Challenges:

• Frequent regulatory changes
• Inconsistent enforcement
• Limited regulatory guidance
• Complex reporting requirements

Practical Solutions

Operational Solutions:

• Implement robust data collection processes
• Develop cash transaction monitoring systems
• Create standardized documentation templates
• Invest in translation services
• Build local compliance expertise

Regulatory Solutions:

• Regular regulatory updates and training
• Proactive engagement with regulators
• Documentation of compliance decisions
• Implementation of automated reporting systems

Best Practices

Communication Strategies:

• Regular meetings with regulatory contacts
• Proactive reporting of issues
• Clear documentation of compliance efforts
• Timely response to regulatory inquiries
• Maintenance of regulatory relationship logs

Examination Preparation:

• Maintain organized compliance documentation
• Conduct regular internal audits
• Prepare executive summaries of compliance programs
• Train staff on examination procedures

Regulatory Reporting

Effective Reporting:

• Establish clear reporting timelines
• Implement quality control for reports
• Maintain reporting logs and acknowledgments
• Document any reporting delays or issues

Relationship Management:

• Designate primary regulatory contacts
• Maintain regulator contact database
• Document all regulatory communications
• Regular review of regulatory relationships

Burkina Faso Compliance Tips

Key Red Flags in Burkina Faso:

• Large cash transactions without clear source of funds
• Complex transaction structures involving multiple jurisdictions
• Unusual cross-border transfers to high-risk countries
• Reluctance to provide complete KYC documentation

Burkina Faso-Specific Considerations:

• Understanding local business practices and cultural norms
• Managing cash-based economy compliance challenges
• Building strong relationships with Burkina Faso regulators
• Navigating language requirements (French/English)

Burkina Faso Regulatory Resources

• Central Bank of West African States (BCEAO) Official Website
• Burkina Faso Financial Intelligence Unit (CENTIF)
• Burkina Faso Ministry of Finance
• FATF Evaluation – Burkina Faso
• UN Security Council Consolidated List

Crisis Management Procedures

Immediate Response Protocol:

• Designated crisis management team structure
• 24/7 regulatory reporting hotline
• Immediate notification requirements to BCEAO and CENTIF
• Documentation preservation procedures
• Internal communication protocols

Regulatory Communication:

• Pre-approved communication templates
• Designated regulatory spokespersons
• Regular status update requirements
• Documentation of all regulatory interactions

Regulatory Change Management

Change Monitoring:

• Regular review of BCEAO circulars and regulations
• Tracking of FATF recommendations implementation
• Monitoring of regional regulatory developments
• Impact assessment procedures

Implementation Framework:

• Gap analysis methodology
• Stakeholder engagement plan
• Training and communication strategy
• Compliance testing procedures

Banking Sector Engagement

BCEAO Relationship Management:

• Regular supervisory meetings schedule
• Pre-examination preparation checklist
• Documentation requirements for inspections
• Follow-up action tracking system

Industry Collaboration:

• Participation in banking association committees
• Industry working group engagement
• Best practice sharing forums
• Joint training initiatives

Mining Sector Engagement

Specialized Requirements:

• Enhanced due diligence for mining companies
• Special reporting for large transactions
• Mining concession monitoring
• Transaction pattern analysis

Regulatory Interface:

• Ministry of Mines oversight
• Specialized reporting requirements
• Industry-specific compliance training
• Risk assessment methodologies

Key Performance Indicators

Operational Metrics:

• STR filing timeliness and quality
• Customer due diligence completion rates
• Transaction monitoring alert resolution time
• Training completion rates
• Internal audit findings resolution

Regulatory Metrics:

• Regulatory examination outcomes
• Regulatory reporting accuracy
• Regulatory inquiry response time
• Compliance program effectiveness

Performance Reporting

Reporting Framework:

• Monthly compliance dashboard
• Quarterly management reports
• Annual compliance effectiveness review
• Regulatory examination preparation reports

Continuous Improvement:

• Root cause analysis procedures
• Remediation tracking system
• Best practice implementation
• Technology enhancement roadmap