Burkina Faso has signed a 645 billion CFA francs (about US $1.16 billion) agreement with the United Nations to implement a large-scale programme to transform the country’s food systems, officials said recently.
The food systems initiative is the largest of three development programmes agreed between the Government and the UN system, collectively valued at more than 850 billion CFA francs (roughly US $1.53 billion) for the period 2025–2030.
The 645 billion-CFA francs component focuses on sustainable transformation of agricultural and food systems across all regions of the country. It targets areas with high agricultural and agro-pastoral potential, as well as zones experiencing acute food insecurity due to climate volatility and insecurity.
Burkina Faso’s Minister of Economy and Finance, Aboubakar Nacanabo, said the programmes are designed as “operational instruments” to accelerate implementation of the RELANCE National Development Plan (2026–2030), adopted by the government in January 2025 to restore basic services, revive production sectors and improve living standards amid fiscal pressures.
The initiative marks a shift toward long-term resilience building rather than short-term emergency food assistance, integrating climate adaptation, production, processing and distribution systems under a single financing framework. Enhanced food systems can reduce reliance on imports, strengthen rural incomes and help stabilise public spending by diminishing recurring emergency food relief costs.
The two accompanying programmes include a 109 billion-CFA francs humanitarian-development-peace transition support and a 151 billion-CFA francs stabilisation and social cohesion package, both intended to bridge humanitarian needs with development and security objectives.
Burkina Faso faces persistent food security challenges compounded by climate shocks, displacement and market constraints. A recent FEWS NET report highlights food access gaps in areas of heightened insecurity, where households continue to struggle throughout the lean season and rely on limited assistance and own production.
By anchoring the UN-supported food systems programme within its national development strategy, Burkina Faso aims to boost sustainable agricultural growth, reduce food import dependence and improve resilience of rural livelihoods.
