UNCDF in Burkina Faso
West and Central Africa and the Caribbean Region
Loans
Guarantees
Investment 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 Netherlands, 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, reinforces local economic systems, and advances climate-resilient development across the country.
In collaboration with United Nations partners such as the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA), UNCDF enables women, youth, and rural communities 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.
Latest news and stories
Our partners
UNCDF’s work in Burkina Faso is made possible through a strong coalition of partners, including the Governments of the Netherlands and Denmark, the Joint SDG Fund, the United Nations Peacebuilding Fund, the Government of Burkina Faso, and United Nations agencies, including the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) and the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA).
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.
