UNCDF in Burkina Faso
Concessional loans
Guarantees
Grants
Our work
The United Nations Capital Development Fund (UNCDF) has maintained a sustained presence in Burkina Faso, supporting the Government in advancing development finance and delivering locally led solutions. Its work is anchored in strong partnerships with donors, including the Governments of the Netherlands and Denmark, as well as the Joint SDG Fund and the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund.
Through innovative financing instruments, technical assistance, and partnerships with financial institutions and local authorities, UNCDF expands access to finance, strengthens local economic systems, supports the growth of micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs), and advances climate-resilient development across the country.
In collaboration with development partners, UNCDF enables women, youth, rural communities, and MSMEs to access financial services, invest in productive activities, and build more resilient livelihoods in a context shaped by climate vulnerability, displacement, and security challenges.
Improve skills and revenues of women affected by displacement due to conflicts
Funded by the Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), this joint project aims to strengthen the economic resilience of women affected by conflict and displacement in Burkina Faso through technical training and improved access to financial services and capital. Since 2023, UNCDF has been implementing the initiative in collaboration with the UNFPA and UNDP.
UNCDF works with women's groups to strengthen financial literacy, promote savings practices, and facilitate access to credit. A $ 200,000 portfolio guarantee was deployed with CAISSE BAITOUL MAAL a local financial institution enables the provision of tailored loan products for women entrepreneurs.
The initiative targets 400 women's organizations with more than 20,000 members. It aims to facilitate access to 400,000,000 XOF ($ 700,000) in loans for women-led SMEs. This financing supports job creation and contributes to the economic stability of women affected by conflict in Burkina Faso.
Financing locally led climate adaptation in Burkina Faso
Since 2022, UNCDF has supported locally led climate adaptation in Burkina Faso through the implementation of the Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG) mechanisms with financial support from the Governments of the Netherlands and Denmark.
The PBCRGs are implemented through the Fonds d’Intervention pour l’Environnement (FIE), channeling international climate finance to three pilot communes: Saponé, Loumbila, and Pabré. These communes were selected given their high climate vulnerability, natural resource degradation, and pressures linked to internal displacement.
Building on a successful first cycle, two additional investment cycles were launched, totaling over $350.000 of investments. As of 2024, eight investments have been delivered, promoting endogenous techniques and nature-based solutions for climate-resilient agriculture and directly benefiting more than 121,000 people.
These investments include the development of nutritious market gardens, solar-powered boreholes with irrigation systems, rehabilitation of rice-growing lowlands, and capacity building in natural resource management and climate-smart agriculture.
Local farmers strengthen climate-resilient practices through targeted training session in Burkina Faso.
Solar-powered irrigation systems support year-round agricultural production and improved water management. Credit: UNCDF.
Mobilizing finance for food systems transformation in Burkina Faso
Through the Joint SDG Fund programme Transforming Food Systems and Achieving Sustainable Food Security in Burkina Faso (2026–2028), implemented in partnership with the Government of Burkina Faso, FAO, UNDP and WFP, UNCDF works to strengthen food systems and expand economic opportunities in rural communities. UNCDF leverages catalytic finance, investment readiness support, and risk-sharing mechanisms to mobilise public and private investment in sustainable agriculture and agri-food value chains.
By improving access to finance and supporting strategic investments, the programme aims to increase agricultural productivity, reduce post-harvest losses, strengthen local value chains, and expand economic opportunities for women and youth. The initiative is expected to benefit approximately 2.5 million people while advancing food security, job creation, and climate resilience across Burkina Faso.
Expanding access to trade finance for SMEs
Since 2026, UNCDF has been implementing the SME Trade Finance Facility (STFF) globally in partnership with the International Trade Centre (ITC), the European Commission (EC), and the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). The initiative aims to address the persistent trade finance gap that limits the ability of small and medium-sized enterprises to participate in regional and international trade.
Globally, the programme deploys a comprehensive toolkit of technical assistance, catalytic financing, and support to financial institutions and policymakers. The programme works to strengthen the trade finance ecosystem, promote innovative financial products tailored to SMEs, and improve business readiness to access financing. By expanding access to trade finance, particularly for women-led and export-oriented enterprises, STFF seeks to strengthen value chains, increase competitiveness, create jobs, and contribute to more inclusive and resilient economic growth.
Improve skills and revenues of women affected by displacement due to conflicts
Funded by the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), this joint project has been implemented by UNCDF since 2023, in partnership with UNFPA and UNDP, to strengthen the economic resilience of women affected by conflict and displacement in Burkina Faso through technical training and improved access to financial services and capital.
UNCDF works with women's groups to strengthen financial literacy, promote savings practices, and facilitate access to credit. A $200,000 portfolio guarantee, established with Caisse Baitoul Maal, a local financial institution, enables the provision of tailored loan products for women entrepreneurs.
The initiative targets 400 women's organisations representing more than 20,000 members. It aims to facilitate access to XOF 400 million (approximately $700,000) in loans for women-led SMEs. This financing contributes to job creation, strengthens the economic resilience of women affected by conflict, and supports local economic development in Burkina Faso.
Financing locally led climate adaptation in Burkina Faso
Since 2022, UNCDF has supported locally led climate adaptation through the Local Climate Adaptive Living (LoCAL) Facility in Burkina Faso via the implementation of the Performance-Based Climate Resilience Grants (PBCRG) mechanisms with financial support from the Governments of the Netherlands and Denmark.
The PBCRGs are implemented through the Fonds d’Intervention pour l’Environnement (FIE), channeling international climate finance to three pilot communes: Saponé, Loumbila, and Pabré. These communes were selected given their high climate vulnerability, natural resource degradation, and pressures linked to internal displacement.
Building on a successful first cycle, two additional investment cycles were launched, totaling over $350.000 of investments. As of 2024, eight investments have been delivered, promoting endogenous techniques and nature-based solutions for climate-resilient agriculture and directly benefiting more than 121,000 people.
These investments include the development of nutritious market gardens, solar-powered boreholes with irrigation systems, rehabilitation of rice-growing lowlands, and capacity building in natural resource management and climate-smart agriculture.
Latest news and stories
Our partners
UNCDF's work in Burkina Faso is made possible through partnerships with the Government of Burkina Faso, the Governments of the Kingdom of the Netherlands and Denmark, the United Nations Joint SDG Fund, the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund (PBF), the European Commission (EC), the Organisation of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS), the International Trade Centre (ITC), and United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP), the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO), and the World Food Programme (WFP).
Documents
This section brings together key documents related to UNCDF’s work in the country. It includes a curated selection of publications, papers, and reports that reflect the scope of engagement at country level, from programme design to implementation and outcomes.
These documents offer additional context on how initiatives are developed and delivered, and how partnerships contribute to advancing national priorities. They are intended to support transparency, facilitate knowledge sharing and serve as a practical resource for partners, stakeholders and others seeking a deeper understanding of UNCDF’s work.
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Contact us
For inquiries about UNCDF’s work in Burkina Faso, including partnerships, investment opportunities, or ongoing initiatives, please contact our team on wcac.region@uncdf.org.
