SONATUR Resumes Land Plot Subscriptions After Technical Overload, Expands to Orodara
OUAGADOUGOU – The Société Nationale des Terrains Urbains (SONATUR) has officially resumed its land plot subscription process across multiple development sites after a temporary suspension caused by overwhelming public demand that crashed their online platform. The state-owned land management agency has also expanded its offerings to include the Orodara site, signaling continued urban development initiatives across Burkina Faso’s key regions.
Technical Challenges Highlight Housing Demand
The subscription process, originally suspended on October 28, 2025, faced significant technical challenges due to what SONATUR described as “platform overload caused by high customer demand.” This technical disruption underscores the intense pressure on urban housing and commercial land in Burkina Faso’s growing cities, where affordable, properly titled land remains scarce.
The resumption follows a three-week period during which SONATUR worked to strengthen its digital infrastructure to handle the anticipated traffic for the second round of subscriptions.
Staggered Subscription Schedule Implemented
To manage system load and ensure fair access, SONATUR has implemented a carefully staggered subscription schedule:
Phase One (November 18-19, 2025): Poédogo (Ouahigouya) and Silmiougou (Ouagadougou) sites will be available for subscription from Tuesday at 10:00 AM through Wednesday at 12:00 PM.
Phase Two (November 20-21, 2025): Bindougousso (Bobo-Dioulasso) and the newly added Orodara site will open for subscriptions from Thursday at 10:00 AM through Friday at 12:00 PM.
Tiered Pricing Reflects Location Value
The subscription fees reveal a clear tiered pricing structure that reflects the relative value and development stage of each location:
Premium Sites (50,000 FCFA): Bindougousso in Bobo-Dioulasso and Silmiougou in Ouagadougou command the highest subscription fees, positioning them as the most desirable urban development areas.
Intermediate Site (25,000 FCFA): Poédogo in Ouahigouya represents a mid-tier option for subscribers.
Entry-Level Site (10,000 FCFA): The newly included Orodara site offers the most accessible entry point for land acquisition.
Payment Requirements and Deadlines
Prospective landowners must adhere to strict financial deadlines to secure their plots. The minimum down payment requirements differentiate between plot types:
Residential plots: 30% minimum down payment
Commercial plots: 40% minimum down payment
All subscription fees and minimum down payments must be completed at designated bank counters by Friday, November 28, 2025. SONATUR has explicitly stated that no mobile payment methods will be accepted, emphasizing traditional banking channels for these transactions.
Document Submission Timeline
After completing bank payments, subscribers must submit required documentation to SONATUR offices in either Ouagadougou or Bobo-Dioulasso no later than December 12, 2025, at 3:30 PM. This provides a two-week window for administrative processing following payment.
Broader Implications for Urban Development
The high demand that initially crashed SONATUR’s platform reflects the critical need for structured urban land management in Burkina Faso’s growing cities. The inclusion of Orodara expands SONATUR’s reach beyond major urban centers, potentially driving development in smaller regional hubs.
The tiered pricing structure suggests a strategic approach to making land ownership accessible across different economic segments while maintaining premium pricing for prime urban locations. This could help address both middle-class housing needs and commercial development requirements.
Prospective subscribers can access the online platform at https://souscription.sonatur.bf and contact SONATUR at 25 30 17 73/74; 70 20 00 62; 77 00 13 49 or 20 97 01 41 for additional information.
This report is based on original reporting from Burkina24.