The President's message

Mr. Idrissa NASSA
President of COGEF – Grand Officer of the Order of the Stallion

A transformative vision for Burkina Faso

At the dawn of the New Year 2026, I would like to extend my warm wishes for peace, happiness, and prosperity to the members of the National Executive Bureau, the regional COGEFs, the statutory committee, the financial committee, the commissions and committees, the members of COGEF, private-sector stakeholders, and all Burkinabè.

I take this opportunity to reaffirm the support of COGEF and the entire private sector to His Excellency Mr. the President of Faso, Head of State, Captain Ibrahim TRAORE, for his impactful leadership. I also extend to him, as well as to the entire Government led by His Excellency Mr. the Prime Minister Rimtalba Jean-Emmanuel OUEDRAOGO, my best wishes for success in 2026 and our deepest appreciation for their unwavering commitment to the fight to reconquer the national territory and assert our economic sovereignty. I once again express our sincere and profound gratitude to the Defense and Security Forces (FDS) and to the Volunteers for the Defense of the Homeland (VDP), who fight daily at the risk of their lives so that Burkina Faso may remain standing and so that the private sector, as a creator of wealth, may fully play its role as an engine of development.

The year 2025 was marked by the private sector’s collective resilience in the face of security challenges. We worked toward the unity of the private sector, the strengthening of economic sovereignty, and the continuation of the structural projects of our organization. This determination made it possible to support a growth rate of more than 5% of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), thereby strengthening the foundations for a more efficient private sector and a more prosperous Burkina Faso.

In a context of institutional, economic, and social change, the Burkinabè Employers’ Association has engaged in a strategic transformation dynamic in order to strengthen its leadership within the entrepreneurial ecosystem through the adoption of its new name: COGEF-General Confederation of Enterprises of Faso. This is an opportunity for me to invite all our members and the Burkinabè public to fully embrace this reimagined name, which marks an important step in the modernization of our organization. We call for solidarity and collective ambition. We encourage businesses to invest more in building a more efficient economy. Let us work to transform our raw materials, support young entrepreneurs, and facilitate access to financing.

COGEF has adopted a strategic development plan aimed at sustainable development, aligned with the five (5) axes of my 2023-2028 mandate plan. In line with these strategic orientations, the year 2026 will see the implementation of innovative projects and structural actions, including: the operationalization of the regional COGEFs; the organization of strategic reflection forums on endogenous development; the establishment of the Employers’ Innovation Award; the establishment of strategic monitoring and economic foresight; and the start of construction work on the COGEF headquarters.

Dear members,

You have been called upon to take part in the building and consolidation of the Burkinabè employers’ movement through the quality of your personalities and your companies. Let us therefore measure this historic responsibility and remain united, because together we can build a more dynamic, inclusive, resilient, and sovereign economy, in line with the vision of our highest authorities.

Through cohesion and solidarity, we will make 2026 a year of consolidating the achievements of the Employers’ Association, and of success in our projects and in our businesses.

On behalf of the General Confederation of Enterprises of Faso, I wish all our partners and everyone a Happy and Excellent New Year 2026.

Long live the Burkinabè private sector.

May God bless Burkina Faso. The homeland or death, we shall prevail. Thank you.

Strategic Priorities

Reinvigorate and empower COGEF

Renforcement de la structure organisationnelle et financière de la COGEF pour assurer son autonomie et sa capacité à mieux servir ses membres.

  • Opérationnalisation des COGEF régionales
  • Modernisation des infrastructures
  • Diversification des sources de revenus

Establish a dynamic partnership with the Public Administration

Establishing a constructive and ongoing dialogue with public authorities to improve the business environment.
• Regular consultation mechanisms
• Participation in economic reforms
• Advocacy for the private sector

Strengthen relations with social partners

Promoting constructive and balanced social dialogue with trade unions and other social stakeholders to ensure social peace.
• Effective collective bargaining
• Amicable conflict resolution
• Improvement of working conditions

Develop the capabilities of SMEs/SMIs

Enhanced support for small and medium-sized enterprises to improve their competitiveness and long-term viability.
• Training and capacity building
• Facilitating access to financing
• Technical support and advisory services

Develop a new international partnership

Expansion of relations with international employers’ organizations and attraction of foreign investment.

  • International cooperation agreements
  • Promotion of Burkinabè exports
  • Attraction of direct investment

Develop innovative activities

Encouraging innovation and digital transformation to position Burkina Faso’s private sector at the forefront.

  • Incubation of innovative startups
  • Digital transformation of businesses
  • Development of the green economy 

Inspirational Quotes

Reflections on Entrepreneurship, Economic Development, and the Future of Burkina Faso

Bringing together entrepreneurs, defending their interests, and promoting economic excellence in order to foster a strong private sector that creates wealth and opportunities for future generations.
The Burkina Faso employers’ federation embodies the collective determination of businesses to actively contribute to building a modern, resilient, and competitive economy for the benefit of the entire nation.
By bringing together the vital strengths of the private sector, we are helping to build a stronger, more competitive, and more prosperous economy in service of Burkina Faso.
Convinced that business is a vital engine of progress, we harness entrepreneurial energy to build a future of shared prosperity.

Join our vision

Together, let us build the Burkinabè economy of tomorrow. Your company can be part of this historic transformation we are leading.