This is a list of notable people from

Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (, ; , ff, 𞤄𞤵𞤪𞤳𞤭𞤲𞤢 𞤊𞤢𞤧𞤮, italic=no) is a landlocked country in West Africa with an area of , bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to ...

, formerly

French Upper Volta Upper Volta (french: Haute-Volta) was a colony of French West Africa established in 1919 in the territory occupied by present-day Burkina Faso. It was formed from territories that had been part of the colonies of Upper Senegal and Niger and th ...

Filmmakers

* Sarah Bouyain (born 1968), French-Burkinabé film director *

Gaston Kaboré Gaston Kaboré (born 1951) is a Burkina Faso, Burkinabé film director and an important figure in Burkina Faso's film industry. He has won awards for his films ''Wend Kuuni'' and ''Buud Yam''. Biography Kaboré was born in 1951 in Bobo-Dioulasso ...

(born 1951), film director * Fanta Régina Nacro (born 1962), film director *

Idrissa Ouedraogo Idrissa is a masculine given name. Notable people with the name include: * Idrissa Adam (born 1984), Cameroonian sprinter * Idrissa Camara, Guinean-born dancer and choreographer * Idrissa Camará (born 1992), Bissau-Guinean footballer * Idrissa Cou ...

(born 1954), film and television director whose films include '' Yaaba'' (1989)

Politicians

Boureima Badini Boureima Badini (born May 25, 1956.) is a Burkinabé politician. He served in the government of Burkina Faso as Minister of Justice from 1999 to 2007. Badini was born in Ouahigouya, located in Yatenga Province.Laurent Bado Laurent Bado is a Burkinabé politician and member of the National Rebirth Party (PAREN). Political career Running as the PAREN candidate in the 13 November 2005 presidential election, Bado placed third out of 13 candidates, receiving 2.60% of ...

, member of the

National Rebirth Party The National Rebirth Party (, PAREN) is a political party in Burkina Faso. History At the legislative elections An election is a formal group decision-making process by which a population chooses an individual or multiple individuals ...

and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Ali Barraud, Minister of Public Health and Population for Upper Volta * Djibril Bassolé (born 1957), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation from June 2007 * Blaise Bassoleth (1920–1976), member of the French Senate from 1958 to 1959 * Juliette Bonkoungou (born 1954), Burkinabé ambassador to

Canada Canada is a country in North America. Its ten provinces and three territories extend from the Atlantic Ocean to the Pacific Ocean and northward into the Arctic Ocean, covering over , making it the world's second-largest country by tot ...

Blaise Compaoré Blaise Compaoré (born 3 February 1951)''Profiles of People in Power: The World's Government Leaders'' (2003), page 76–77.

(born 1951), President of Burkina Faso from 1987 * Simon Compaoré (born 1952), Mayor of

Ouagadougou Ouagadougou ( , , ) is the capital and largest city of Burkina Faso and the administrative, communications, cultural, and economic centre of the nation. It is also the country's largest city, with a population of 2,415,266 in 2019. The city's ...

* Joseph Conombo (1917–2008), President of Upper Volta from 1978 to 1980 *

Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly (1 July 1909 – 7 September 1958) was the president of the governing council of the French colony of Upper Volta, today's Burkina Faso, from 17 May 1957 until his death on 7 September 1958 in Paris. A native of Pouy, to ...

(1909–1958), president of governing council of Upper Volta from 1957 to 1958 * Toubé Clément Dakio (born 1939), member of the Union for Democracy and Development party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Noellie Marie Béatri Damiba (born 1951), journalist and diplomat * Bernadette Sanou Dao (born 1952), Burkinabé Minister for Culture from 1986 to 1987 * Frédéric Guirma, politician, head of the RDA and 2001 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Emile Ilboudo, ambassador to Côte d'Ivoire *

Nayabtigungu Congo Kaboré Emmanuel Nayabtigungu Congo Kaboré (born 20 June 1948) is a Burkina Faso, Burkinabé politician and leader of the Movement for Tolerance and Progress (MTP) party. References

1948 births Living people Movement for Tolerance and Progress ...

(born 1948), leader of the

Movement for Tolerance and Progress Movement for Tolerance and Progress (in French language, French: ''Mouvement pour la Tolérance et le Progrès, MTP'' and in Mooré language, Mooré: Moog Teeb Panpaasgo) is a Sankarism, Sankarist political party in Burkina Faso. It was founded ...

party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (; born 25 April 1957) is a Burkinabé banker and politician who served as the President of Burkina Faso from 2015 until he was deposed in 2022. He was the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso between 1994 and 1996 and Pr ...

(born 1957), President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso *

Michel Kafando Michel Kafando (born 18 August 1942) is a Burkinabé diplomat who served as the transitional President of Burkina Faso from 2014

(born 1942), Burkinabé ambassador to the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is an intergovernmental organization whose stated purposes are to maintain international peace and security, develop friendly relations among nations, achieve international cooperation, and be a centre for harmoniz ...

Joseph Ki-Zerbo Joseph Ki-Zerbo (June 21, 1922 – December 4, 2006, Burkina Faso) was a Burkinabé historian, politician and writer. He is recognized as one of Africa's foremost thinkers. From 1972 to 1978 he was professor of African History at the University o ...

(1922–2006), politician, historian, writer and activist * Begnon-Damien Kone (1921/1922–1986), member of the French Senate from 1958 to 1959 * Lompolo Koné (1921–1974), Foreign Minister of Upper Volta from 1961 to 1966 *

Zakalia Koté Zakalia Kote is a Burkinabé politician who served in the government of Burkina Faso as Minister of Justice A justice ministry, ministry of justice, or department of justice is a ministry or other government agency in charge of the administrati ...

, Minister of Justice from 2007 to 2011 *

Sangoulé Lamizana Aboubakar Sangoulé Lamizana (31 January 1916 – 26 May 2005) was a Burkinabé military officer who served as the President of Upper Volta (since 1984 renamed Burkina Faso), in power from 3 January 1966, to 25 November 1980. He held the a ...

(1916–2005), President of Upper Volta from 1966 to 1980 *

Ali Lankoandé Ali Lankoandé (10 November 1930CV
at petiteacademie.gov.bf . – 28 M ...

, member of the

Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party The Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party (french: Parti pour la Démocratie et le Progrès / Parti Socialiste) is a political party in Burkina Faso (former Upper Volta). It was founded in May 2001 by merger of the Party for Democr ...

and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Ablassé Ouedraogo, Regional Adviser for

Africa Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent, after Asia in both cases. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 6% of Earth's total surface area ...

within the

African Development Bank The African Development Bank Group (AfDB) or (BAD) is a multilateral development finance institution headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, since September 2014. The AfDB is a financial provider to African governments and private companies ...

and former foreign minister for Burkina Faso *

Gérard Kango Ouédraogo Gérard Kango Ouédraogo (French pronunciation: �eʁaʁ kɑ̃ɡo wedʁaɔɡo September 19, 1925 – July 1, 2014) was a Burkinabé statesman and diplomat who served as Prime Minister of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from 13 February 1971 to 8 ...

(born 1925), Prime Minister for Upper Volta from 1971 to 1974 *

Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo (born 25 December 1968) is a Burkinabé politician who has been President of the Alliance for Democracy and Federation–African Democratic Rally (ADF-RDA),Pan-African Parliament *

Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo Jean-Baptiste Philippe Ouédraogo (; born 30 June 1942), also referred to by his initials JBO, is a Burkinabé physician and retired military officer who served as President of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from 8 November 1982 to 4 August 198 ...

(born 1942), President of Upper Volta from 1982 to 1983 * Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo (born 1953), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from 1996 to 2000, Burkinabé ambassador to the

United Kingdom The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland, commonly known as the United Kingdom (UK) or Britain, is a country in Europe, off the north-western coast of the European mainland, continental mainland. It comprises England, Scotlan ...

* Philippe Ouédraogo (born 1942), leader of the African Independence Party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Ram Ouédraogo Ram Ouédraogo (born January 2, 1950)Page at petiteacademie.gov. ...

(born 1950), member of the Rally of the Democrats of Burkina party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Youssouf Ouédraogo Youssouf Ouédraogo (25 December 1952 – 18 November 2017) was a Burkinabé politician. In 1992 he became the first Prime Minister of Burkina Faso since 1983, serving from 16 June 1992 to 22 March 1994. Ouédraogo, a member of the ruling Congres ...

(born 1952), first Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, serving from 1992 to 1994 * Pargui Emile Paré, member of the People's Movement for Socialism/Federal Party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara (born 1959), president of the Union for Rebirth / Sankarist Movement party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Thomas Sankara Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (; 21 December 1949 – 15 October 1987) was a Burkinabé military officer, Marxist–Leninist revolutionary, and Pan-Africanist, who served as President of Burkina Faso from his coup in 1983 to his deposition a ...

(1949–1987), first President of Burkina Faso serving from 1984 to 1987, also president of Upper Volta from 1983 to 1984 * Thomas Sanon (born 1947), businessman, politician, diplomat * Clément Sawadogo, Minister of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Security * Marie Blandine Sawadogo, member of the Pan African Parliament * Salimata Sawadogo (born 1958), Burkinabé ambassador to several African countries * Laurent Sedego (born 1956), former military officer and cabinet member * Nouhoun Sigue (1911–2004), member of the French Senate from 1948 to 1952 * Diongolo Traore (1914–1971), member of the French Senate from 1952 to 1958 *

Hermann Yaméogo Hermann Yaméogo (born August 27, 1948) is a Burkinabé politician and leader of the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD). Although he decided to boycott the 13 November 2005 presidential elections a month prior to the poll, his na ...

(born 1948), leader of the

National Union for the Defence of Democracy National Union for Democracy and Development (in French: ''Union Nationale pour la Démocratie et le Développement'') was a political party in Upper Volta. The UNDD is led by Hermann Yaméogo, the son of former president Maurice Yaméogo. In ...

party *

Maurice Yaméogo Maurice Yaméogo (31 December 1921 – 15 September 1993) was the first President of the Republic of Upper Volta, now called Burkina Faso, from 1959 until 1966. "Monsieur Maurice" embodied the Voltaic state at the moment of independence. However ...

(1921–1993), first President of Upper Volta, serving from 1983 to 1984 * Salvador Yaméogo, Minister of Transportation and Tourism * Oubkiri Marc Yao, member of the Pan African Parliament *

Larba Yarga Larba Yarga was the Minister of Justice for Burkina Faso until approximately 2000. He also served as a member of the Pan-African Parliament from Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (, ; , ff, 𞤄𞤵𞤪𞤳𞤭𞤲𞤢 𞤊𞤢𞤧𞤮, italic=no) is ...

, member of the Pan African Parliament *

Paramanga Ernest Yonli Paramanga Ernest Yonli (born 31 December 1956 in Tansarga, Tapoa Province) also known as Ernest Paramanga Yonli, is a Burkinabé politician. He was Prime Minister from 6 November 2000 to 3 June 2007 and then President of the Economic and Social ...

(born 1956), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from 2000 to 2007 * Marlène Zebango, Minister for Youth and Sports from 1991 to 1993 *

Saye Zerbo Saye Zerbo (27 August 1932 – 19 September 2013) was a Burkinabé military officer who was the third President of the Republic of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from 25 November 1980 until 7 November 1982. He led a coup in 1980, but was resisted ...

(born 1932), President of Upper Volta from 1980 to 1982 * Tertius Zongo (born 1957), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from June 2007 * Alain Zoubga (born 1953), medical doctor and leader of the

Sportspeople

* Joris Bado (born 1991),

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular court, compete with the primary objective of shooting a basketball (approximately in diameter) through the defender's h ...

player * Oumar Barro (born 1974), sluo player * Tanguy Barro (born 1982), soccer player * Abdoulaye Cissé (born 1983), soccer player * Brahima Cissé (born 1976), soccer player * Daouda Compaoré (born 1973), soccer player * Henoc Conombo (born 1986), soccer player *

Amadou Coulibaly Amadou Coulibaly (born 31 December 1984) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a right back. Club career Coulibaly played youth football for RC Bobo Dioulasso, before moving to Stade Rennais F.C. and Grenoble Foot 38 in ...

(born 1984), soccer player *

Moumouni Dagano Beli Moumouni Dagano (born 1 January 1981) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a striker. At international level, he represented the Burkina Faso national team. Club career Dagano began his career at Ivorian side Ste ...

(born 1981), soccer player * Maxime D'Hoore (born 1978), soccer player * Mohamed Ali Diallo, soccer player *

Salif Dianda Salif Dianda (born 17 December 1987) is a Burkinabé footballer who plays for ASD Ferentillo-Valnerina as a midfielder. Biography Born in Adzopé to Burkinabé parents, Dianda arrived in Italy in 2004. He obtained a temporary resident permit on ...

(born 1987), soccer player *

Madou Dossama Madou Dossama (born 24 July 1972) is a retired Burkinabé footballer who played for Etoile Filante Ouagadougou and the national team. Career Dossama captained his club side EFO to the 1/16-finals of the 2004 CAF Confederation Cup, and became an ...

(born 1972), soccer player * Ibrahim Gnanou (born 1986), former soccer player * Jean-Michel Liade Gnonka (born 1980), soccer player * Abdoul Aziz Kaboré (born 1994), soccer player *

Mohamed Kaboré Mohamed Kaboré (born December 31, 1980 in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso) is a Burkinabé football goalkeeper. He currently plays for ASFA Yennenga. International Kaboré was part of the Burkinabé 2004 African Nations Cup team, which finished b ...

(born 1980), DAVE * Bèbè Kambou (born 1982), soccer player * Pascal Karama (born 1993), soccer player * Mahamoudou Kéré (born 1982), soccer player * Nathanio Kompaoré (born 2001), soccer player * Yssouf Koné (born 1982), soccer player *

Brahima Korbeogo Brahima Korbeogo (born 23 January 1975) is a Burkinabé footballer who last played for Commune FC. Career Korbeogo previously played for Satellite FC, Union Sportive des Forces Armées, El-Ittihad El-Iskandary (Egypt), Bani Yas Club (United ...

(born 1975), soccer player *

Pierre Koulibaly Pan Pierre Koulibaly (born 24 March 1986), commonly known as Pierre Koulibaly, is a Burkinabé footballer who plays soccer for Saham Club in Oman Professional League. Personal life Pierre's twin brother, Paul Koulibaly is also a professional f ...

(born 1986), soccer player * Moustapha Kourouma (born 1977), soccer player * Dieudonné Minoungou (born 1981), soccer player * Toussaint Natama (born 1982), soccer player *

Abdoul-Aziz Nikiema sadio mane kuzaliwa senegari club @simba senegar football midfielder who plays for the amateur French side TVEC Les Sables-d'Olonne. Career Nikiema began his career with Planète Champion Ouagadougou was in 2001 scouted from Bordeaux. He pla ...

(born 1985), soccer player *

Amara Ahmed Ouattara Amara Ahmed Ouattara (born 21 October 1983) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Club career Outtara was born in Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. After starting professionally in his country wit ...

(born 1983), soccer player * Boureima Ouattara (born 1984), soccer player * Moussa Ouattara (born 1981), soccer player * Ali Ouédraogo (born 1976), soccer player * Rabaki Jeremie Ouedraogo (born 1973), road racing cyclist *

Rahim Ouédraogo Mamy Rahim Assane Ouédraogo (born 8 October 1980) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a defender. Club career Ouédraogo, whose preferred position on the field was as a defender, joined Twente at the age of 16, accom ...

(born 1980), soccer player * Saïdou Panandétiguiri (born 1984), soccer player *

Jonathan Pitroipa Beninwende Yann Jonathan Pitroipa (born 12 April 1986) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a winger. Since making his debut for Burkina Faso in 2006, he has featured at the 2010, 2012 and 2013 editions of the African ...

(born 1986), soccer player * Florent Rouamba (born 1986), soccer player *

Firmin Sanou Firmin Sanou (born 21 April 1973) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a defender. He was part of the Burkinabé 1998 African Nations Cup team, who finished fourth after losing to Congo DR on penalties in the bronze fi ...

(born 1973), soccer player *

Idrissa Sanou Idrissa Sanou (born June 12, 1977) is a Burkinabé athlete specializing in the 100 metres.

(born 1977), sprinter * Olivier Sanou (born 1975), high jumper and

triple jump The triple jump, sometimes referred to as the hop, step and jump or the hop, skip and jump, is a track and field event, similar to the long jump. As a group, the two events are referred to as the "horizontal jumps". The competitor runs down th ...

er *

Abroubagui Salbre Abroubagui Salbre is a Burkinabé professional footballer who plays as a winger for A.C. Belluno 1905 in Serie D. Career Born in Diapaga near Tapoa province in Burkina Faso, when he was child he moved to Italy and later he joined Portogruaro ...

(born 1993), soccer player *

Ousmane Sanou Ousmane Sanou (born 11 March 1978) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a striker. Club career Sanou was born in Bobo Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. He made his debut in professional football for Willem II, on 28 August 199 ...

(born 1978), soccer player * Wilfried Sanou (born 1984), soccer player *

Cheick Sanou Cheick "Iron Biby" Sanou (Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou) is a strongman from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. He is the 2018 and 2019 World Log Lift Champion and holds the Guinness World record for most overhead presses (of ...

(born 1992), Strongman * Abdoulaye Soulama (born 1974), soccer player * Amadou Tidiane Tall (born 1975), soccer player * Mamadou Tall (born 1982), soccer player * Soumaila Tassembedo (born 1983), soccer player * Amadou Touré (born 1979), soccer player *

Alain Traoré Sibiri Alain Traoré (born 31 December 1988) is a Burkinabé footballer who plays as a striker for Arta/Solar7, and the Burkina Faso national team. He started his career with local side Planète Champion, before moving to France as a 17-year- ...

(born 1988), soccer player *

Bertrand Traoré Bertrand Isidore Traoré (born 6 September 1995) is a Burkinabé professional footballer who plays as a forward for Süper Lig club İstanbul Başakşehir, on loan from Premier League club Aston Villa and the Burkina Faso national team. A ...

(born 1995), soccer player * Lamine Traoré (born 1982), soccer player *

Ousmane Traoré Ousmane Traoré (born 6 March 1977 in Ouagadougou) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a defender.Seydou Traoré (born 1970), soccer player * Narcisse Yaméogo (born 1980), soccer player * Franck Zio (born 1971),

long jump The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point. Along with the triple jump, the two events that measure jumping for distance as a ...

er * Issa Zongo (born 1980), soccer player * Mamadou Zongo (born 1980), soccer player * Patrick Zoundi (born 1982), soccer player

Writers

''See: List of Burkinabé writers''

Others

* Georgie Badiel, model, beauty queen, activist and author * Fatouma Bintou Djibo, United Nations representative in Niger * Marie Odile Bonkoungou-Balima, former Minister for Education and ambassador to Germany * Chantal Compaoré, wife of Burkinabé President Blaise Compaoré *

Gabin Dabiré Gabin Dabiré is a singer, guitarist, kora player, and composer from Burkina Faso (former Upper Volta) who has lived in Italy since 1975.Rough Guide to World Music Volume One: Africa, Europe & The Middle East 1999Banning Eyre's Afropop page for B ...

, musician * Christine Kafando, HIV/AIDS activist *

Diébédo Francis Kéré Diébédo Francis Kéré (born 10 April 1965) is a Burkinabé- German architect, recognized for creating innovative works that are often sustainable and collaborative in nature. In 2022, he became the first African to receive the '' Pritzker A ...

, architect and founding principal of Kéré Architecture *

Bil Aka Kora Bilgho Akaramata Kora, also known as Bil Aka Kora (born April 25, 1971, Pô, Burkina Faso) is a musician.Romba, C. (2006, January 30). Bil Aka Kora, artiste musician. Le Faso.net (2006). Retrieved May 18, 2007 from He was one of the 17 children ...

, musician * Mogho Naba, King of the

Mossi people Mossi may refer to: * Mossi people * Mossi language * Mossi Kingdoms * the Mossi, a Burkinabe variant of the Dongola horse * Mossi (given name) * Mossi (surname) See also * Mossie (disambiguation) * Mossy (disambiguation) *Mozzi (disambiguation) M ...

* Roukiata Ouedraogo, playwright and actress *

Philippe Ouédraogo (cardinal) Philippe Nakellentuba Ouédraogo (born 25 January 1945) is a cardinal of the Catholic Church from Burkina Faso. He is the archbishop of Ouagadougou. Biography and education He was born on 25 January 1945 in Konéan. He was ordained a priest i ...

(born 1945) * Philomaine Nanema, aka Philo (1982-) is a comedian and actress *

Yennenga Yennenga was a legendary princess, considered the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso. She was a famous warrior precious for her father, Naa Gbewaa or Nedega, the founder of the kingdom of Dagbon, now in present day Ghana. But the princess ...

, legendary African princess, mother of the Mossi people * Henri Zongo (died 1989), military officer involved in the 1987

coup d'état A coup d'état (; French for 'stroke of state'), also known as a coup or overthrow, is a seizure and removal of a government and its powers. Typically, it is an illegal seizure of power by a political faction, politician, cult, rebel group, m ...

in Burkina Faso *

Ousmane Zongo Ousmane Zongo ( – May 22, 2003) was a Burkinabé arts trader living in the United States who was shot and killed by Brian Conroy, a New York City Police Department officer during a warehouse raid on May 22, 2003. Zongo was not armed. Conroy ...

(1960–2003), arts trader killed by American police officers in New York City *

Lassina Zerbo Lassina Zerbo (born 10 October 1963) is a Burkinabé politician and scientist who served as the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from 2021 to 2022. Prior to that he was the Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organizati ...

(born 1963), Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)