Buy Gold in Burkina Faso | 2026 Rules

Burkina Faso

Primary minerals	Gold, zinc, manganese
Key gold areas	Liptako (former Sahel), Djôrô (former South West), Guiriko
Regulator	Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries
State gold company	SONASP (artisanal gold buying and marketing)
Key rule	Private artisanal gold export authorisations suspended since February 2024
Export hub	Ouagadougou

Short answer

Since February 2024 Burkina Faso has suspended export authorisations for artisanal and semi mechanised gold, and holders of stock were directed to sell to the state company SONASP. Under the 2024 Mining Code, artisanal producers may sell only on the domestic market, and the state holds a right of pre emption on gold sales. In practice, a private seller cannot lawfully export artisanal Burkinabé gold to you. Minerals Finance Team works only through lawful channels, finances the export costs on verified deals, and you pay only after delivery and your final assay.

Who regulates gold in Burkina Faso

Gold falls under the Ministry of Energy, Mines and Quarries and the Mining Code of July 2024. The state company SONASP, created in 2023, handles the production, marketing and processing of artisanal gold and runs buying counters in Bobo Dioulasso, Gaoua and Banfora. The state holding company SOPAMIB holds the nationalised mines, and the Raffinor BF refinery in Ouagadougou, with capacity of 164 tonnes a year, opened in September 2026.

Who can buy and export gold in Burkina Faso

Trading in gold needs a separate prior authorisation under the 2024 Mining Code, and gold marketing and refining have their own approval regime.
Artisanal and semi mechanised producers may sell only on the domestic market.
Private artisanal exports have been suspended since 20 February 2024; we found no lifting as of October 2026.
Industrial mines must process at least 50% of their output in Burkina Faso.
Anyone under sanctions or an anti money laundering investigation cannot obtain an approval.

Royalties on gold in Burkina Faso

Gold royalties follow a sliding scale tied to the gold price: reported at 5% between $1,300 and $1,500 an ounce, rising to 7% above $2,000. At current prices the top band applies. The state also takes a free 15% stake in mining companies, with the right to acquire up to 30% more. We confirm current rates on every transaction.

Where Burkina Faso's gold comes from

Industrial production includes Essakane in Liptako (about 372,100 ounces in 2025), Kiaka in the south east, Bomboré and the nationalised Wahgnion and Boungou mines. Artisanal output is large: SONASP collected more than 42 tonnes of artisanal gold in 2025.

Recent changes buyers must know

2023: SONASP created; royalty sliding scale raised.
February 2024: private artisanal gold export authorisations suspended.
July 2024: new Mining Code with state pre emption on gold sales.
2025: five mining assets nationalised; illegal buying offices closed; regions renamed.
September 2026: Raffinor BF refinery opened in Ouagadougou.

Mistakes to avoid in Burkina Faso

Buying artisanal gold "with export papers" from a private seller. While the suspension stands, private parties cannot lawfully export artisanal gold. Treat any such offer as a red flag.
Using old region names. Since 2025 the Sahel is Liptako and the South West is Djôrô; documents should match.
Paying fees to the seller. In every deal we finance, costs are paid directly to the authorities and providers.

Our scam guide explains the wider pattern.

How we finance a gold purchase in Burkina Faso

You apply online at no cost and receive a reference number.
We complete KYC on you and confirm the seller's approvals and that the export route is lawful under current rules.
We attend the assay and valuation in Ouagadougou.
We issue written terms, then finance royalties, insurance, secured transport and freight, paid directly to the authorities and providers.
You receive the gold, run your final assay and settle. Our single success fee is due only then.

If a Burkina Faso deal cannot pass the current rules, we tell you before it costs you anything.

Frequently asked questions: buying gold in Burkina Faso

Can I export artisanal gold from Burkina Faso?

Not through a private seller. Export authorisations for artisanal and semi mechanised gold have been suspended since February 2024, and artisanal producers may sell only on the domestic market, mainly to SONASP.

What is SONASP?

The Société Nationale des Substances Précieuses, Burkina Faso's state company for producing, marketing and processing artisanal gold, with buying counters in Bobo Dioulasso, Gaoua and Banfora.

What is the gold royalty in Burkina Faso?

A sliding scale tied to the gold price, reported at 7% when gold is above $2,000 an ounce. We confirm current rates on every transaction.

Does Burkina Faso have a gold refinery?

Yes. The Raffinor BF refinery in Ouagadougou, with capacity of 164 tonnes a year, opened in September 2026.

Where is gold mined in Burkina Faso?

Across the country, including Essakane in Liptako, Kiaka in the south east, Bomboré, Wahgnion and Boungou, plus widespread artisanal sites.

Do I pay anything upfront through MFT?

No. We finance royalties, assay, insurance and freight on verified deals. You pay one success fee only after delivery and your final assay.

Other markets we finance

We finance verified gold transactions across West Africa: Sierra Leone · Ghana · Guinea · Mali · Côte d'Ivoire · Liberia · Senegal. See all country guides or read our guide to avoiding gold scams.

Apply for financing in Burkina Faso

If you have a pending or planned gold purchase in Burkina Faso, submit it through our buyer application. We review it within 2 business days against the current rules and, if it passes due diligence, carry every upfront cost while you settle after delivery and final assay.

Sources and last review

Regulatory details reviewed October 2026. Rules change; we confirm current requirements on every transaction.

Buy Gold in Burkina Faso Under the 2026 Rules