Burkina Faso lawmakers ban privatization of strategic public entities

Burkina Faso’s Transitional Legislative Assembly has adopted a law banning the privatisation of public entities considered strategic, strengthening state protection of businesses linked to national sovereignty, security and development. The government-sponsored legislation was adopted on Monday, according to an Africa Radio report published with AFP on 20 October 2026. It covers sectors including energy, strategic resources such as gold, telecommunications, defence and infrastructure. The scope extends to establishments whose activities concern national sovereignty or security, or make a major contribution to the country’s development and social balance. The list of companies subject to the ban will be specified later by decree. Industry and Trade Minister Serge Poda defended the measure before lawmakers as a means of protecting economic independence. He argued that selling off the country’s instruments of sovereignty and production to other actors would not create development at home. According to the report, the government also wants to preserve the economic attractiveness of the protected entities. The legislation changes the approach taken under a 1993 law, which identified 15 strategic public enterprises but did not prohibit their privatisation. The new prohibition therefore adds protection beyond the earlier designation of strategic status; the forthcoming decree will determine which companies fall within its scope. The measure forms part of the economic-sovereignty policy promoted by Captain Ibrahim Traoré’s military government, which came to power in a coup in September 2022.