Burkina Faso Insurance

Essential cover

It is vital to make sure you have appropriate Burkina Faso insurance before you travel. Political upheaval and terrorist attacks have made this landlocked West African country less safe for foreign visitors and specialist insurance for Burkina Faso is vital.

Official risk ratings

Accident and Evacuation	<span class="icon" data-icon="star3"></span>
Kidnapping and Ransom	<span class="icon" data-icon="star2"></span>
Political Risk	<span class="icon" data-icon="star4"></span>

Burkina Faso insurance – quick facts

The FCDO advises against all travel to Burkina Faso, except to the capital, Ouagadougou, making high-risk insurance essential
There is an underlying threat from terrorism in areas bordering Mali, Niger and in the capital Ouagadougou
Risk of kidnap has increased in recent years – kidnap and ransom insurance is advisable
International health insurance in Burkina Faso with medical evacuation is strongly advised

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What's it like to operate in Burkina Faso?

The security situation in Burkina Faso has deteriorated significantly in recent years and remains volatile. After the military coup in 2022, the political climate is also uncertain. Specialist high-risk insurance in Burkina Faso is recommended to protect your trade interests, your property, liabilities and your people.

Although the capital, Ouagadougou, may feel relatively safe when you arrive, the FCDO advises that terrorists are very likely to try to carry out attacks here and advises against travel to much of the rest of the country. The northern areas are more overtly dangerous – and this is where most of our clients are – involved in mining, power and infrastructure projects.

To protect your people properly you must have Personal Accident cover and International Health insurance with options for terrorism and political violence. Malaria, dengue fever and meningitis are common and road traffic accidents on poor roads are another risk.

Kidnap is also a real risk for foreign nationals. Burkina Faso contributed to the UN peacekeeping initiative in Mali (MINUSMA) for 10 years until 2023 and is therefore considered a legitimate target by Al-Qaida in the Islamic Maghreb (AQ-M) and its associated groups. Four western nationals were rescued from a kidnapping situation in 2019. We would therefore highly recommend Kidnap & Ransom insurance that can provide you with security briefings before you go and professional support should the worse happen. (See How the Professionals Handle Kidnaps for an insight into a real life kidnap scenario.)

We can also help to provide tailored protection for assets, property or equipment, including Political Risk against losses caused by unforeseen government action in the future.