List of Burkina Faso provinces with regions, capitals, and geographic insights. This complete guide explains all 45 provinces in a clear and simple way.

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Administrative Structure of Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa with a well-organized administrative system designed to support governance, development, and regional planning. Understanding how the country is divided helps students, researchers, travelers, and policy observers better appreciate its political and geographic layout.

At the heart of this structure is the List of Burkina Faso provinces, which forms the second level of administration. Provinces sit below regions and above departments, playing a vital role in local governance and service delivery.

Currently, Burkina Faso is divided into 13 regions and 45 provinces, each with its own capital city. These provinces are grouped geographically into central, eastern, western, northern, and southern zones, reflecting both cultural and environmental differences across the country.

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Regions and Provinces in Burkina Faso

Before diving into individual provinces, it’s helpful to understand how regions function:

• Regions coordinate large-scale administration and development
• Provinces manage local governance
• Departments and communes handle grassroots administration

Each province is named after a historical, cultural, or geographic feature and is administered from a provincial capital.

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Central Burkina Faso Provinces

Central Burkina Faso is the political and administrative heart of the country. It includes the national capital and surrounding provinces.

Centre Region

• Kadiogo – Capital: Ouagadougou
  Home to Burkina Faso’s capital city, Kadiogo is the most politically significant province.

Centre-Nord Region

• Bam – Capital: Kongoussi
• Namentenga – Capital: Boulsa
• Sanmatenga – Capital: Kaya

These provinces are known for agriculture and traditional Mossi culture.

Centre-Sud Region

• Bazèga – Capital: Kombissiri
• Nahouri – Capital: Pô
• Zoundwéogo – Capital: Manga

This region supports farming and cross-border trade with Ghana.

Plateau-Central Region

• Ganzourgou – Capital: Zorgho
• Kourwéogo – Capital: Boussé
• Oubritenga – Capital: Ziniaré

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Eastern Burkina Faso Provinces

Eastern Burkina Faso is rich in wildlife reserves and borders several neighboring countries.

Centre-Est Region

• Boulgou – Capital: Tenkodogo
• Koulpélogo – Capital: Ouargaye
• Kouritenga – Capital: Koupéla

Est Region

• Gnagna – Capital: Bogandé
• Gourma – Capital: Fada N’Gourma
• Komondjari – Capital: Gayéri
• Kompienga – Capital: Pama
• Tapoa – Capital: Diapaga

Tapoa and Kompienga are especially known for national parks and biodiversity.

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Northern Burkina Faso Provinces

Northern regions are characterized by Sahelian climate conditions and pastoral livelihoods.

Nord Region

• Loroum – Capital: Titao
• Passoré – Capital: Yako
• Yatenga – Capital: Ouahigouya
• Zondoma – Capital: Gourcy

Sahel Region

• Oudalan – Capital: Gorom-Gorom
• Séno – Capital: Dori
• Soum – Capital: Djibo
• Yagha – Capital: Sebba

These provinces face environmental challenges but remain culturally rich.

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Southern Burkina Faso Provinces

Southern Burkina Faso receives more rainfall and supports agriculture and tourism.

Cascades Region

• Comoé – Capital: Banfora
• Léraba – Capital: Sindou

Banfora is famous for waterfalls and scenic landscapes.

Hauts-Bassins Region

• Houet – Capital: Bobo-Dioulasso
• Kénédougou – Capital: Orodara
• Tuy – Capital: Houndé

Houet is one of the most economically active provinces.

Sud-Ouest Region

• Bougouriba – Capital: Diébougou
• Ioba – Capital: Dano
• Noumbiel – Capital: Batié
• Poni – Capital: Gaoua

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Western Burkina Faso Provinces

Western regions are major agricultural producers and trade corridors.

Boucle du Mouhoun Region

• Balé – Capital: Boromo
• Banwa – Capital: Solenzo
• Kossi – Capital: Nouna
• Mouhoun – Capital: Dédougou
• Nayala – Capital: Toma
• Sourou – Capital: Tougan

Centre-Ouest Region

• Boulkiemdé – Capital: Koudougou
• Sanguié – Capital: Réo
• Sissili – Capital: Léo
• Ziro – Capital: Sapouy

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Why Provinces Matter in Burkina Faso

Provinces help decentralize power, improve public services, and ensure regional representation. They also play a key role in:

• Education administration
• Healthcare delivery
• Agricultural planning
• Local economic development

Understanding the List of Burkina Faso provinces is essential for governance, research, and development work.

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1. How many provinces are in Burkina Faso?

Burkina Faso has 45 provinces.

2. How many regions does Burkina Faso have?

The country is divided into 13 regions.

3. What is the largest province by population?

Kadiogo Province is the most populated due to Ouagadougou.

4. What is the role of a provincial capital?

It serves as the administrative center for governance and services.

5. Are provinces the smallest administrative unit?

No, provinces are divided further into departments and communes.

6. Where can I find official administrative data?

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Burkina Faso’s provincial system reflects its geography, culture, and administrative needs. By exploring each region and province, readers gain a clearer picture of how the nation functions at a local level. Whether for education, travel, or research, this guide provides a reliable and easy-to-understand overview of the country’s provincial structure.

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