Bridging the Gap: Burkina Faso’s Banking Sector and Economic Actors Seek Common Ground at Business Days 2025
OUAGADOUGOU – In an ambitious move to foster a more synergistic relationship between finance and commerce, the Professional Association of Banks and Financial Institutions of Burkina (APBEFB) has launched the second edition of its Business Days open house event. Held at the SIAO site on October 29-30, 2025, this year’s initiative is forging a unique partnership with the nation’s artisans and agri-food processors, aiming to dismantle long-standing barriers to financial inclusion.
A Dialogue for Mutual Understanding
The event, themed “Banks and Economic Actors: Better Understanding for Successful Financial Inclusion,” is more than just an exhibition. It is conceived as a vital platform for permanent dialogue. For 48 hours, the often-opaque world of high finance opens its doors to the public, demystifying its operations for the very entrepreneurs who form the backbone of the Burkinabè economy.
“There exists a partnership relationship between banks and economic actors,” explained Inoussa Bondaoné, the Third Vice-President of the APBEFB, in his opening address. He elaborated on the symbiotic nature of this relationship: credit institutions play a crucial role by facilitating salaries, settling invoices, financing investments, and managing treasury for businesses. In return, the savings generated by these economic actors provide the essential capital that banks need to fund the broader economy. “Here, credit institutions provide support, and economic actors, in turn, strengthen the solidity of these institutions,” Bondaoné emphasized.
Dispelling the Fog of Misunderstanding
But why is such an event necessary? The answer lies in a persistent gap in understanding. On one side, many small business owners, artisans, and farmers view banks as intimidating fortresses with impenetrable regulations and unmeetable demands. On the other, financial institutions sometimes struggle to fully grasp the on-the-ground realities, cash flow challenges, and unique business models of local entrepreneurs.
This is where the Business Days come in. Through a series of expert-led panels, the event tackles complex topics head-on, from the intricacies of leasing and housing finance to the specific challenges of funding agri-food industries. Simultaneously, a sprawling exhibition allows the public to engage directly with bank representatives, asking the tough questions and discovering tailored financial products.
“A good understanding of the role and functioning of credit institutions are major factors for financial inclusion and trust in the banking system,” Bondaoné added. “They are also fundamental for economic actors in that they make the use of financial services optimal and allow them to seize the opportunities that come their way.”
A Banking Sector Poised for Growth
The event received high-level endorsement, held under the patronage of the Minister of Economy and Finance, Aboubacar Nacanabo. Represented by his technical advisor, Léa Zagré, the minister’s office commended the dynamism of the banking sector. The numbers speak for themselves: over the past five years, the total balance sheet of Burkinabè banks has surged from 6,615 billion to 9,430 billion CFA francs, a staggering growth of over 42%.
Yet, with growth comes greater responsibility. While celebrating these achievements, Zagré issued a powerful call to action. “I make a solemn appeal to all banks and financial institutions: dare to finance the economy even more, open the doors of credit to small businesses, young project leaders, women entrepreneurs, and actors in the rural world,” she exhorted. Her challenge was clear: simplify procedures, innovate in product offerings, and become genuine partners in progress for all layers of society.
A Two-Way Street of Trust and Transparency
The message was not one-sided. Zagré also addressed the economic actors, urging them to cultivate rigor, transparency, and, above all, trust. She reminded the audience that credit, before being a financial transaction, is first and foremost a relationship of shared confidence. This foundational trust is what allows capital to flow and businesses to flourish.
This sentiment was palpable on the exhibition floor. Agri-food processors, the special partners of this edition, showcased their products alongside the banks, creating a tangible link between the source of funding and the end result of that investment. The atmosphere was one of bustling inquiry, a far cry from the formal and often distant interactions that typically characterize bank-customer relationships.
What does the future hold? The success of initiatives like Business Days will be measured not by the number of attendees, but by the tangible financial relationships that are forged in their wake. Will a woman entrepreneur from a rural cooperative secure the lease financing she needs for a new grain mill? Will a young tech innovator find a bank willing to understand his business model? These are the real-world outcomes that the APBEFB is betting on.
In her concluding remarks, Léa Zagré framed the event’s ultimate ambition, stating that these open days, beyond their institutional aspect, are an invitation to build a more human, accessible finance—one that carries hope and transformation for the entire nation. As the sun set on the first day of the event, the dialogue continued, suggesting that Burkina Faso’s financial and economic spheres are indeed learning to speak the same language.