When you hear of wealth in Africa, your mind might travel quickly to Nigeria’s oil barons, South Africa’s diamond magnates, or Morocco’s real estate kings. But pause for a moment and look closer at the proud landlocked nation of Burkina Faso. This country, known for its resilience, hospitality, and artistry, is also home to a vibrant circle of business leaders and entrepreneurs who have defied odds and built empires.

Their stories are not just about wealth in numbers, but about grit, vision, and cultural pride. From telecom to banking, from cement to agriculture, these Burkinabè giants have laid foundations that speak not only of personal success but of national progress.

Let’s journey together and celebrate the Top 10 richest people in Burkina Faso—individuals who embody the saying: “When you climb a good tree, the community will push you up.”

1. Apollinaire Compaoré — The Telecom Titan (Net Worth: ~$800M)

When the name Apollinaire Compaoré is mentioned, people nod with respect. This man is not only one of the richest in Burkina Faso but also one of its most influential figures. Through his group, Planor Afrique, he has spread his wings across multiple sectors—telecommunications, insurance, and finance.

His crown jewel is Telecel Faso, a mobile network that has kept millions of Burkinabè connected. Imagine villages where communication was once a dream; today, thanks to his work, even the most remote communities can connect to the wider world.

But Apollinaire’s wealth is not just about business—it’s about nation-building. He employs thousands, mentors many, and shows that African-grown companies can compete with multinational giants. His story is a testament to innovation and perseverance in a challenging environment.

2. Oumarou Kanazoé — The Infrastructure Pioneer (Net Worth: ~$600M)

Every nation needs roads, bridges, and grand infrastructure to thrive. In Burkina Faso, that dream was made possible by Oumarou Kanazoé. Starting with just one truck, this visionary built OK Construction, a company that would later become a national pride.

He helped design and construct some of Burkina Faso’s most iconic landmarks, including parts of Ouaga 2000, the modern district in Ouagadougou that symbolizes progress and ambition. He also built mosques, schools, and roads that connect not just cities but destinies.

Oumarou’s legacy is carved in concrete and tar, but also in the smiles of Burkinabè who benefit daily from his vision. He is remembered not just as a wealthy man, but as a builder of dreams.

3. Mahamadou Bonkoungou — The EBOMAF Empire Builder (Net Worth: ~$550M+)

Mahamadou Bonkoungou is a story of ambition meeting opportunity. He started small, trading cassette tapes and gold, but his hunger for growth pushed him further. He founded EBOMAF (Entreprise Bonkoungou Mahamadou et Fils), a construction giant that has expanded across West Africa.

Today, EBOMAF builds roads, airports, and mega-infrastructure projects. One of its biggest current undertakings is a smart airport in Gabon valued at over $370 million. This shows that Burkinabè entrepreneurship doesn’t stop at national borders—it conquers the continent.

Mahamadou’s wealth is built on the principle that when Africa builds for Africans, the result is lasting development.

4. Inoussa Kanazoé — The Cement King (Net Worth: ~$500M)

If you walk through Burkina Faso’s cities, towns, or rural villages, chances are the houses and offices were built with cement from Inoussa Kanazoé’s company, CIMFASO. This business magnate turned cement into gold, quite literally.

With the boom in construction, his company supplied the backbone of progress. Inoussa’s vision wasn’t just about selling cement; it was about creating a self-sustaining industry in a country where importing was once the norm.

Today, he is rightly called the Cement King, and his legacy stands as firm as the buildings his products help create.

5. Alizéta Ouédraogo — The “Iron Lady” Entrepreneur (Net Worth: ~$400M)

When talking about women in African business, Alizéta Ouédraogo is a shining example. Known as the “Iron Lady,” she ventured into retail, textiles, and manufacturing, creating one of the largest trading networks in the country.

Her wealth is not just monetary but symbolic. In a region where women often face more obstacles than men in business, she showed courage and determination. Today, she stands tall among the wealthiest, inspiring young girls and women to believe that their place is not just in the market stall but in boardrooms and industries.

6. Idrissa Nassa — The Banking Visionary (Net Worth: ~$350M)

Some call him the man who brought modern banking to Burkina Faso. Idrissa Nassa founded Coris Bank International, which quickly became one of the most successful financial groups in West Africa.

What makes his story remarkable is his humble beginning. From selling goods in local markets to running a financial empire, Idrissa’s journey is a lesson in transformation. His bank now finances businesses, supports start-ups, and provides digital banking solutions to thousands of Burkinabè.

Idrissa Nassa is living proof that financial empowerment is the backbone of national growth.

7. Salif Kaboré — The Golden Heart of Mining (Net Worth: ~$300M)

Burkina Faso is often called the “land of honest men,” but it is also the land of gold. One of the men who turned this natural gift into wealth is Salif Kaboré.

As a mining entrepreneur, Salif tapped into Burkina Faso’s rich deposits of gold and minerals. His ventures created jobs, brought foreign investment, and positioned the country as one of Africa’s leading gold producers.

Mining can sometimes carry negative connotations, but Salif has emphasized responsible and sustainable mining, ensuring that local communities benefit from the riches of their land.

8. Pascal Sawadogo — The Agribusiness Champion (Net Worth: ~$250M)

If you ask, “What is Africa’s real wealth?” many will answer: the land. Pascal Sawadogo understood this and built an empire from agriculture and food processing.

He invested in large-scale farming and created processing plants that reduce dependency on imports. From grains to packaged foods, his products feed both urban centers and rural communities.

Pascal’s success is more than profit; it’s about food security and dignity. In a continent where hunger is still a challenge, entrepreneurs like him are heroes of sustainability.

9. Lassiné Diawara — The Transport Maestro (Net Worth: ~$200M)

Trade and commerce cannot thrive without transportation. Lassiné Diawara saw that gap early and created a logistics and transport business that now operates across West Africa.

From trucks delivering goods to fleets connecting countries, Lassiné’s empire has become a crucial link in the supply chain. He turned vehicles into vessels of wealth, proving that even in industries that seem simple, vision and discipline can make millionaires.

10. Adama Kindo — The Hospitality Luminary (Net Worth: ~$180M)

Last but not least is Adama Kindo, a man who redefined hospitality in Burkina Faso. Through his hotels and resorts, he created spaces where culture meets luxury.

His establishments don’t just offer beds—they offer experiences. From showcasing Burkinabè art to promoting traditional cuisine, Adama made hospitality a cultural mission. His story shows that even in industries overlooked by many, one can create immense value.

Honourable Mentions: Public Servants and Trailblazers

• Ibrahim Traoré, Burkina Faso’s transitional president, declared assets worth only about $128,566, emphasizing transparency in leadership.

• Alpha Barry, a former journalist turned Foreign Minister, owns Radio Oméga and has significant wealth in media.

• Mamounata Basga Velegda, once a street vendor selling galettes, built a thriving agribusiness empire worth billions of CFA. She is a heroine of female entrepreneurship.

• Simon Tiemtoré, educated in New York, returned home to invest in banking, textiles, and pharmaceuticals through Lilium Capital. He represents the power of the diaspora investing back in Africa.

Conclusion

From telecom towers to golden mines, from banks to hotels, the wealthiest in Burkina Faso have one thing in common: they transformed challenges into opportunities. Their journeys remind us that Africa’s future doesn’t lie in waiting for external saviors but in celebrating and nurturing its own.

To my fellow Africans reading this—whether you’re a student in Ouagadougou, a trader in Bobo-Dioulasso, or a dreamer in Accra—remember: wealth is not only in money but in ideas, resilience, and courage. Burkina Faso’s richest prove that even in a landlocked country, vision knows no borders.

So, rise. Build. Dream. The next story of African wealth could be yours.