U.S. & Burkina Faso
2008 Commercial Guide
Chapter 3 - Selling U.S. Products and Services
Chapter 3-1 Using an Agent or Distributor
There is no law in Burkina Faso requiring retention of an Agent/Distributor, but this is advisable. Selecting a capable local agent could be critical to the successful introduction of U.S. products into a market traditionally dominated by French goods.
There are a limited number of businesspeople in Burkina with the practical experience and financial capacity necessary to form a partnership with a U.S. firm. Most are active in import-substitution or local commerce. Like many businesspeople, the Burkinabe are hesitant to conduct business with people they do not know, so it is necessary to form relationships before one can successfully make inroads into the local market.