Burkina Faso
Doing business is quite formal in Burkina Faso and suits should be worn for government and official business. Greetings and titles are part of the formalities. No verbal transaction between two people takes place unless greetings have been exchanged, including the shaking of hands. It is polite to use an official's title rather than a proper name. The telephone has made inroads in Burkinabe daily life - especially among civil servants in the capital, but much business is conducted face to face. French is the main language spoken in business circles and if the visitor does not have command of French, interpreter services should be sought.
Meetings may involve many people who speak formally and at length about a subject. Meetings between a handful of people usually conclude with the formal exchange of business cards. Organizational hierarchies are widely respected, and accomplishing a task or getting information quickly requires approaching the appropriate person. Office hours are generally 0700-1200 and 1500-1730 Monday to Friday.
There have been incidents involving armed groups stopping vehicles to rob them in various parts of the country, particularly at night. Incidents are more frequent on secondary roads in the east (particularly roads to Benin, Bogande and Gayeri). Take particular care on the road between Ouagadougou and Po. In July 2005, armed attackers killed one person and injured seven others.
Street crime poses high risks for visitors. Most reported incidents involve opportunistic snatches of purses, wallets, jewellery and other valuable. Thieves are particularly active in crowds and during international meetings or events, which draw large crowds to the capital. The areas near and around the U.N. Circle, Avenue Kwame N’Krumah, and the former Central Market in Ouagadougou experience the highest incidence of purse snatchings and similar crime. Take sensible precautions; do not carry valuables in public places or walk alone at night.
There are hotels in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso with some air-conditioned rooms and additional facilities. Elsewhere there are small lodges. There is also a group of tourist-class bungalows at Arly National Park.
Local telephone service is excellent but expensive. International calls cannot always be made from hotels and it is often necessary to make international calls from a post and telecommunications office where calls must be paid for in local currency only. Collect calls are not possible. The country code is 226. Outgoing international code is 00.
Electricity is 220/380 volts AC, 50Hz. Round 2-pin plugs are standard.
220 volts AC, 50Hz. Two-pin plugs are standard.
C,E
Outside hotels, there are few restaurants in Ouagadougou and in Bobo Dioulasso. Staple foods include sorghum, millet, rice, maize, nuts, potatoes and yams. National specialties:
• Rice with sauce.
• Beef and aubergine with sauce.
• Local vegetables and strawberries are available in season.
• Brochettes (meat cooked on a skewer).
• Chicken dishes. National drinks:
• Beer is the drink of choice and is fairly cheap.Tipping:
Service is generally included in the bill (about 10 to 15
per cent) although it is customary to tip taxi drivers, porters and hotel staff. Tipping is more expected in the better-class restaurants.Nightlife
Nightlife is particularly good in Ouagadougou and Bobo Dioulasso. There are several nightclubs in Ouagadougou, some with live music, and several cinemas, both open-air and air conditioned. Bobo Dioulasso has a lively street-cafe scene, good open-air bars and restaurants and a number of open-air and air-conditioned discos. The Wassa Club in the center of Ouagadougou is great for a cheap traditional meal and a drink, while there is a dance floor for later entertainment. If you prefer to relax, the Les Bambous in Ouagadougou offers easy listening and drinks. Just remember to dress up, as the locals tend to make an effort in traditional dress when partying.
