Ouagadougou: what to see and whether to move there

What the city lives on and who it suits

Ouagadougou is the capital of Burkina Faso, a country in the heart of the Sahel, a city of about 3 million people. It concentrates the government, embassies, UN and international agency offices, and mining companies: gold is the country's main export, followed by cotton. The city is known for crafts, music and a pan-African film festival held every two years.

Since 2022 the country has been run by a military government, and much of the territory outside large cities suffers from armed attacks. In 2025 Burkina Faso, together with Mali and Niger, left the Economic Community of West African States and formed its own alliance of Sahel states. Most countries advise their citizens against travel to Burkina Faso.

It suits staff of international organisations, humanitarian missions and companies with a contract and a security system. It does not suit tourists, remote workers or anyone planning to move independently.

Neighbourhoods: where foreigners live

Foreigners live in walled houses with guards, usually paid by the employer, and travel by car with a driver.

Cost of living

The currency is the West African franc, pegged to the euro: about 585 francs per dollar at the European Central Bank rate of 05.10.2026. Most of a foreigner's budget goes on housing, security and transport, so without an employer package life here is expensive.

Practicalities: climate, health, connectivity

• Climate. Hot: over +40 from March to May, the dry harmattan wind brings dust from December to February, and the rainy season runs June to September.
• Health. Yellow fever vaccination is required for entry, and malaria risk is high all year. Healthcare is limited; insurance must cover evacuation.
• Languages. French is the working language; the national languages Mooré, Dioula and Fula have official status.
• Connectivity and money. Mobile internet works and mobile money is widespread; bank cards are accepted in a limited number of places.
• Security. Attacks on crowded places and kidnappings are possible, so foreigners follow their organisation's security rules.

Who hires foreigners

The main employers of foreigners are UN agencies, humanitarian and medical organisations, embassies, mining companies and contractors in energy and construction. French is needed almost everywhere; English is not enough for work with local partners and authorities. Contracts usually include housing, security, a car, insurance with evacuation and regular rest breaks outside the country, and that package is what makes working here possible.

Family: schools and healthcare

Ouagadougou has a French lycée and an English-language international school, but many organisations treat the city as a non-family posting, and children stay abroad. Private clinics handle simple cases; serious illnesses and injuries are evacuated to neighbouring countries or Europe, so insurance with evacuation is mandatory.

Cultural life

Even in hard years the city keeps its cultural life: every two years it hosts the pan-African film festival and an international crafts fair, and the Grand Market and crafts village sell bronze, textiles and masks. In the evenings life moves to open-air restaurants under awnings with live music. Foreigners clear event attendance with their organisation's security service.

Moving and legal status

Moving to Burkina Faso independently is practically impossible and unsafe. Foreigners come on contract: the employer or international organisation arranges the visa, work permit and residence, as well as housing, security and insurance with evacuation. There are no programmes for investors, remote workers or retirees. Those seeking life in Africa under clear rules are usually better served by countries such as Namibia or Mauritius.

Is the city worth considering for living

Only for work with an international organisation or company with a security system, for the duration of the contract. For tourism, remote work or an independent move, no: armed conflict, kidnapping risk, weak healthcare and malaria make life here dangerous. The situation changes quickly, so decisions are made only on current information. We find countries in Africa and other regions where you can live safely; we fix our fee after a free consultation.