Burkina Faso, meaning 'Land of Honest People,' is a West African nation rich in cultural heritage and traditional arts. From the vibrant capital Ouagadougou to the historic city of Bobo-Dioulasso, visitors can experience authentic West African culture, stunning natural landscapes including waterfalls and wildlife reserves, and warm hospitality.
Best souvenirs
Authentic items worth bringing home.
Lost-wax Bronze Castings
Burkina Faso is renowned for its intricate bronze figures cast using the ancient lost-wax technique. Artisans in Ouagadougou's Village Artisanal produce masks, animal figures, and ancestor statues of exceptional quality.
Price: $15-150
Where: Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou, Route de Kaya
Bogolan (Mud Cloth)
Handwoven cotton cloth dyed with fermented mud to create geometric patterns in earth tones of brown, cream, and black. Each design carries symbolic meaning tied to Burkinabé cultural traditions.
Price: $10-60
Where: Grand Marché, Ziniaré Market, artisan cooperatives
Traditional Ceremonial Masks
Wooden masks representing animals and spirits are central to Burkinabé cultural life, particularly among the Bobo, Mossi, and Bwa peoples. Tourist-grade replicas make stunning display pieces while authentic masks are reserved for ceremonies.
Price: $20-200
Where: Village Artisanal, Marché Artisanal Bobo-Dioulasso
Hand-tooled Leather Bags and Sandals
Skilled leather workers at the Village Artisanal craft bags, wallets, belts, and traditional sandals from locally tanned hides. Items are often decorated with hand-tooled geometric patterns.
Price: $8-80
Where: Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou, artisan workshops
Brass and Silver Jewellery
Burkinabé jewellers create bold necklaces, bracelets, and earrings using brass, silver, and semi-precious stones such as agate and carnelian in traditional Sahel designs.
Price: $5-50
Where: Grand Marché Ouagadougou, Marché de Gounghin
Terracotta Pots and Sculptures
Women potters from several ethnic groups produce hand-coiled terracotta vessels and figurines using techniques unchanged for centuries. Many are decoratively burnished or incised with traditional patterns.
Price: $5-40
Where: Village Artisanal, village markets near Bobo-Dioulasso
Traditional Musical Instruments
Balafons (wooden xylophones), talking drums, koras, and shakers crafted by Burkinabé luthiers make memorable and authentic souvenirs. Smaller instruments are packable and available widely.
Price: $10-100
Where: Musée de la Musique gift shop, Village Artisanal
Traditional markets
Where locals shop and travellers find treasures.
Grand Marché de Ouagadougou
The largest and most vibrant market in the capital, spanning multiple covered and open-air sections. Vendors sell everything from fresh produce and live chickens to imported electronics, traditional fabrics, and handicrafts.
Where: Avenue Kwame N'Krumah, central Ouagadougou
Hours: 7:00 AM - 7:00 PM daily
Marché de Gounghin
A major district market serving local residents with excellent sections for fresh food, spices, and traditional medicines. Less touristed than the Grand Marché, offering more authentic bargaining opportunities and lower prices.
Where: Secteur 5, Ouagadougou
Hours: 6:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
Marché Artisanal de Bobo-Dioulasso
Bobo-Dioulasso's dedicated craft market set near the historic Old Town showcases the region's best artisans. Finds include Bobo masks, handwoven textiles, leatherwork, and calabash carvings at better prices than the capital.
Where: Old Town, central Bobo-Dioulasso
Hours: 8:00 AM - 6:00 PM Monday-Saturday
Ziniaré Market
This weekly rural market is Burkina Faso's best place to buy batik and bogolan cloth at local prices without tourist markup. Saturday market days draw vendors from surrounding villages creating a lively and authentic atmosphere.
Where: Ziniaré, 28 km north of Ouagadougou
Hours: Saturdays 7:00 AM - 3:00 PM (weekly market)
Marché de Banfora
The main market in the Banfora region serves as an excellent stop when visiting the waterfalls and natural sites nearby. Features local produce, traditional items from the Lobi and Turka peoples, and souvenirs for the tourist area.
Where: Central Banfora, Comoé Province
Hours: 7:00 AM - 6:00 PM daily
Shopping districts
Neighbourhoods known for retail.
Village Artisanal de Ouagadougou
A government-supported cooperative village where over 100 craftspeople work on-site producing bronze sculptures, leather goods, pottery, jewellery, and wooden carvings. Visitors can watch artisans at work and buy directly from makers.
Best for: Authentic crafts, watching artisans, quality souvenirs
Avenue Kwame N'Krumah Shopping District
Ouagadougou's main commercial boulevard lined with shops, boutiques, and stalls selling clothing, electronics, and everyday goods. The area around the Grand Marché offers the widest variety of shopping in the capital.
Best for: Everyday shopping, textiles, clothing
Ouaga 2000 Boutiques
The newer, upscale Ouaga 2000 district has air-conditioned boutiques and modern shops catering to diplomats and business travellers. Prices are higher but quality and authenticity are often guaranteed.
Best for: High-end souvenirs, imported goods, modern clothing
Malls & modern shopping
Air-conditioned, international brands, and food courts.
CityMall Ouagadougou
Ouagadougou's most modern retail complex featuring supermarkets, clothing stores, electronics, a food court, and entertainment facilities. The air-conditioned environment is a welcome relief from the heat and offers Western-brand alternatives.
Hours: 9:00 AM - 9:00 PM daily
SCORE Supermarché
The largest supermarket chain in Burkina Faso with multiple branches in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. Stocks imported French products, local foods, wine, toiletries, and household goods catering to the expat and business community.
Hours: 8:00 AM - 9:00 PM Monday-Saturday, 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM Sunday
Bargaining tips
Negotiate like a local.
Bargaining is expected and standard practice at all markets — starting price is typically 2-3x the seller's acceptable price
Walk away calmly if the price doesn't come down — sellers will usually call you back with a better offer
Learn basic French or Moore phrases: 'C'est trop cher' (too expensive), 'Baisse le prix' (lower the price)
Compare prices at several stalls before committing to a purchase at the Grand Marché
Fixed prices are only at formal shops in malls and the Village Artisanal cooperative — elsewhere bargaining applies
Buying multiple items from one seller gives significant leverage for a combined discount
Customs & restrictions
What you can and can't take home.
Restrictions: Export of authentic cultural artefacts classified as national heritage is prohibited — tourist-grade replicas are permitted. Check export rules on items over 100 years old.
Tax Refund: No formal VAT refund scheme for tourists exists in Burkina Faso.
Duty Free: Returning travellers may bring goods of reasonable personal quantity; check your home country's import allowances for wooden items and textiles.
Shipping: International shipping services available via DHL and international carriers at main post office (Avenue de la Liberté, Ouagadougou). Fragile items can be professionally packed at Village Artisanal for an extra fee.