Capital: Ouagadougou
Region: West Africa
Population: 18,932,000
People Groups: 77
Unreached People Groups: 27
Population in Unreached Groups: 5.8 million
Unreached Frontier Groups: 5

Burkina Faso is a landlocked nation in the heart of West Africa’s Sahel. Its people represent a remarkable diversity of languages, cultures, and religious traditions. French is the official language, while dozens of African languages are spoken throughout the country.

Among the country’s major peoples are the Mossi, Fulani, Bobo, Gurma, Bissa, Senufo, Lobi, Dagara, Bwaba, and Gourounsi, as well as many smaller communities.

Religion is similarly diverse. Muslim communities are particularly prominent in northern, eastern, and western areas. Christians are concentrated more heavily in parts of central and southern Burkina Faso, while Indigenous religious traditions continue to influence family and community life across the country. Religious identities can also overlap, with some people maintaining elements of traditional practices alongside Christianity or Islam.

Burkina Faso is experiencing a severe humanitarian crisis. More than 2 million people were internally displaced, and the country also hosts more than 40,000 refugees. UNHCR reports that millions of people remain in need of humanitarian assistance.

Displacement affects much more than where people sleep. It can separate families. Interrupt children’s education. Destroy livelihoods. Increase vulnerability and leave communities uncertain about their future. Children and young people are particularly affected when schools close or when families are forced to move.

Pray for those who have been displaced.

Pray for host communities that are themselves often struggling with limited resources.

Pray for humanitarian workers.

Pray for churches to become places where displaced people encounter practical compassion and the hope of Christ.

There are 77 people groups in Burkina Faso, with 27 classified as unreached.

5.8 million people live in those unreached communities, including around 536,000 in groups classified as unreached frontier peoples. Among the communities requiring particular prayer are smaller Muslim and Indigenous peoples with very limited evangelical presence.

The Natioro, for example, numbers only a few thousand people and is predominantly Muslim. The Bozo and Tige are small Muslim communities. Other communities identified as unreached include smaller ethnic and linguistic peoples whose populations can be scattered across rural areas.

The challenge is therefore not simply reaching Burkina Faso. It is reaching every people within Burkina Faso. A church may exist in a nearby town while a rural community remains largely untouched by the Gospel.

Burkina Faso’s legal framework recognizes freedom of religion and belief, but the country’s security crisis has dramatically changed the environment in which many communities live. Since 2015, violent attacks have caused enormous displacement and disrupted education, healthcare, and ordinary community life. More than 2 million people were internally displaced by March 2023, while subsequent government efforts have enabled some to return to their communities.

For many communities, the immediate concerns are basic:

• Is my family safe?
• Will my children be able to attend school?
• Can we remain in our home?
• Will there be enough food?
• Can we rebuild our lives?

In such circumstances, Christian witness must be more than words. It must carry compassion, practical service, courage, and hope.

Pray for Christian Believers who continue serving communities despite difficult circumstances.

Pray for churches disrupted by displacement.

Pray for Christian leaders who are caring for vulnerable families.

Heavenly Father,

We bring Burkina Faso before You.

You know every person. Every language. Every village. Every family. You know those who follow Jesus and those who have never heard His good news. Protect communities living with insecurity. Bring comfort to families who have lost homes and livelihoods. Provide for the displaced.

Give wisdom to pastors and Christian leaders. Give courage to Christian Believers serving vulnerable communities. Open doors among the unreached. Reach the Muslim communities. Reach the indigenous communities. Reach the smallest and most isolated peoples. Let Your Word cross linguistic and cultural barriers. Let people who have never heard the Gospel encounter Jesus Christ.

May those who hear understand. May those who believe grow strong. May those who grow strong become witnesses to their own people.

In the Name of Jesus,
Amen.