The Association of Young Traders of Burkina Faso held a national meeting on Saturday, 20 June 2026, in Ouagadougou under the theme “From words to action: building a strong patriotic economy in Burkina Faso.” This initiative aimed to create a platform for dialogue among trade actors to identify sector challenges and explore solutions to strengthen their contribution to national economic development.
Key discussion points included business formalisation, capacity building for young traders, and the promotion of more structured entrepreneurship.
According to the association’s president, Ismaël Sawadogo, the gathering reflects the determination of young traders to unite around common objectives and establish a permanent consultation framework.
“The goal is to come together and create a space for discussion to identify the various difficulties in today’s trade and think about solutions we can provide,” he stated.
A key activity of the meeting was a training session on business formalisation. Organisers emphasised that this step is now crucial in a constantly evolving economic environment.
Ismaël Sawadogo stressed that young traders should gradually transition into the formal sector to access opportunities from public procurement, financing mechanisms, and support programmes.
“Actors must move step by step from the informal to the formal by obtaining the necessary documents for their activities. That is how they will gain access to more opportunities and fully contribute to Burkina Faso’s development,” he emphasised.
During the discussions, participants raised several concerns, including challenges in accessing commercial spaces and administrative hurdles in obtaining formalisation documents.
The association president called for greater support for young entrepreneurs to simplify procedures and foster business growth.
Roland Achille Sow, who served as patron of the ceremony, commended the initiative and highlighted the importance of formalisation for business sustainability.
According to the head of the consular delegation of the Chamber of Commerce and Industry of Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, a structured business enjoys better growth prospects, easier access to financing, and higher chances of being passed on to future generations.
“The statistics are alarming: nearly eight out of ten businesses disappear after their founder. The question is simple. Do we accept dying after a few years, or do we build solid companies that can last for generations?” he remarked.
He also reaffirmed the Chamber of Commerce’s commitment to support all initiatives promoting business formalisation, a key focus of its action plan.
Through this meeting, young Burkinabè traders reaffirmed their determination to organise better, strengthen their skills, and fully play their part in building a stronger, more competitive, and more resilient national economy.
Participants agreed that the future of trade in Burkina Faso depends on better sector structuration, ongoing dialogue among economic players, and enhanced support from public and consular institutions.
