Burkina Faso nationalises Air Burkina after buying out private shareholder
Burkina Faso’s government has moved to fully nationalise its troubled national airline, Air Burkina, after buying out the company’s last private shareholder.
At the end of a Council of Ministers meeting on January 29, 2026, the government approved a draft decree authorising an increase in the state’s participation in the airline’s share capital, formally making Air Burkina a state-owned company.
Authorities said the airline has faced serious financial and operational difficulties for several years, which have weakened its ability to function and damaged its financial position.
To address the crisis, the Burkinabe state has launched a restructuring process aimed at restoring the company’s long-term viability.
As part of that effort, on September 24, 2024, the government acquired all shares held by a private investor, 111 shares representing 1% of Air Burkina’s capital. That transaction made the state the airline’s sole shareholder.
The decree adopted this week is intended to legally formalise the acquisition and regularise the state’s full ownership in line with Burkina Faso’s laws governing public capital companies.
The government described the decision as a key step in reviving the national carrier and strengthening Burkina Faso’s air transport sector.
This story is written and edited by the Global South World team, you can contact us here.
