Burkina Faso mandates NGOs invest 80% of budgets in field activities

The government of Burkina Faso has adopted new regulations requiring non-governmental organizations (NGOs) to allocate at least 80% of their total budgets to direct field investments. Approved during a Council of Ministers session on September 24, 2026, the measures aim to ensure that funds raised for vulnerable populations are used for intended activities rather than being absorbed by administrative and operational costs.

Under the new rules, local associations must conclude a framework agreement with the state to maintain NGO status, while foreign entities will be regulated through a dedicated headquarters agreement. Organizations must also meet a mandatory minimum threshold of cumulative investments to qualify for official status.

Existing aid organizations have a two-year transition period to align their finances and field activities with these directives. During this time, state authorities reserve the right to audit organizations at administrative, financial, and technical levels to ensure compliance. These reforms follow previous legislative changes in 2025 that tightened controls on foreign groups and freedom of association.