This is a list of notable people from Burkina Faso, formerly French Upper Volta.

Filmmakers

Sarah Bouyain Sarah Bouyain (born 1968) is a French- Burkinabé writer and film director. Her first full-length film, '' The Place in Between'', was released in 2010. Biography Bouyain was born in Reims, Marne, France. Her mother, who was French, and her fath ...

(born 1968), French-Burkinabé film director * Gaston Kaboré (born 1951), film director *

Fanta Régina Nacro Fanta Regina Nacro (born 4 September 1962) is well known for being the first woman from Burkina Faso to direct a feature film and is a founding member of the Guilde Africaine des Realisateurs et Producteurs (The African Guild of Directors and Prod ...

(born 1962), film director * Idrissa Ouedraogo (born 1954), film and television director whose films include ''

Yaaba ''Yaaba'' is a 1989 Burkinabé drama film written, produced, and directed by Idrissa Ouedraogo, "one of the best known films from francophone sub-Saharan Africa". It won the Sakura Gold prize at the 1989 Tokyo Film Festival. The film was selected ...

'' (1989)

Politicians

* Boureima Badini, Minister of Justice from 1999 to 2007 * Laurent Bado, member of the National Rebirth Party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Ali Barraud Ali Barraud N'Goni (January 31, 1918 – October 11, 2015) was a Burkinabé politician who served as Minister of Public Health and Population for Upper Volta. He is the first medical officer in Bobo-Dioulasso, before he join the Rassemblem ...

, Minister of Public Health and Population for Upper Volta *

Djibril Bassolé Djibrill Yipènè Bassolé (born November 30, 1957.) is a Burkinabé politician and diplomat. He served in the government of Burkina Faso as Minister of Security from 2000 to 2007 and as Foreign Minister of Burkina Faso, Minister of Foreign Affair ...

(born 1957), Minister of Foreign Affairs and Regional Cooperation from June 2007 * Blaise Bassoleth (1920–1976), member of the French Senate from 1958 to 1959 *

Juliette Bonkoungou Juliette Bonkoungou is the ambassador from Burkina Faso to Canada and one of many female Burkinabé politicians. She has worked as a judge, and as president of the Economic and Social Council (''Conseil économique et social''). She is a member of ...

(born 1954), Burkinabé

ambassador An ambassador is an official envoy, especially a high-ranking diplomat who represents a state and is usually accredited to another sovereign state or to an international organization as the resident representative of their own government or sov ...

to Canada * Blaise Compaoré (born 1951), President of Burkina Faso from 1987 *

Simon Compaoré Simon Compaoré (born 19 September, 1952Page at petiteacademie. ...

(born 1952), Mayor of Ouagadougou *

Joseph Conombo Joseph Issoufou Conombo (9 February 1917 – 20 December 2008) served as Prime Minister of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from 7 July 1978 to 25 November 1980. Born in the department of Kombissiri, he attended medical school in Dakar, Seneg ...

(1917–2008), President of Upper Volta from 1978 to 1980 * Daniel Ouezzin Coulibaly (1909–1958), president of governing council of Upper Volta from 1957 to 1958 *

Toubé Clément Dakio Toubé Clément Dakio (born 1939"Clément Dakio de l� ...

(born 1939), member of the Union for Democracy and Development party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Noellie Marie Béatri Damiba Noellie Marie Béatri Damiba born 31 December 1951, is a Burkinabé journalist and diplomat from Burkina Faso. Damiba was born in Koupéla. From 1994 to 2003, she served as the Ambassador of Burkina Faso in Rome, Italy. From 2003 to 2008 she wa ...

(born 1951), journalist and diplomat *

Bernadette Sanou Dao Bernadette Sanou Dao (born 25 February 1952 in Bamako, French Sudan) is a Burkinabé author and politician. At age 11, her family returned to Upper Volta from Mali. She attended Kolog-Naba college in Ouagadougou and later Ohio University in th ...

(born 1952), Burkinabé Minister for Culture from 1986 to 1987 *

Frédéric Guirma Frédéric Fernand Guirma (born 27 April 1931, Ouagadougou) is a diplomat, writer and politician from Burkina Faso. In 1959 he became the president of the trade union centre National Confederation of Workers of Burkina, CATC.Kabeya Muase, Charles. ...

, politician, head of the RDA and 2001 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Emile Ilboudo Émile Ilboudo is a Burkinabé politician and diplomat. He has served as the Ambassador of Burkina Faso in Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern ...

, ambassador to

Côte d'Ivoire Ivory Coast, also known as Côte d'Ivoire, officially the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire, is a country on the southern coast of West Africa. Its capital is Yamoussoukro, in the centre of the country, while its largest city and economic centre is ...

* Nayabtigungu Congo Kaboré (born 1948), leader of the Movement for Tolerance and Progress party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (born 1957), President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso *

Michel Kafando Michel Kafando (born 18 August 1942) is a Burkinabé diplomat who served as the transitional President of Burkina Faso from 2014

(born 1942), Burkinabé ambassador to the United Nations * Joseph Ki-Zerbo (1922–2006), politician, historian, writer and activist * Begnon-Damien Kone (1921/1922–1986), member of the French Senate from 1958 to 1959 * Lompolo Koné (1921–1974), Foreign Minister of Upper Volta from 1961 to 1966 * Zakalia Koté, Minister of Justice from 2007 to 2011 * Sangoulé Lamizana (1916–2005), President of Upper Volta from 1966 to 1980 * Ali Lankoandé, member of the Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Ablassé Ouedraogo Ablassé Ouédrago (born 30 June 1953 in Dabaré) is a Burkinabé economist, diplomat and politician. From March 1994 to February 1999, Ouédraogo served as Minister of Foreign Affairs for Burkina Faso. From February to November 1999, he served ...

, Regional Adviser for Africa within the African Development Bank and former foreign minister for Burkina Faso * Gérard Kango Ouédraogo (born 1925), Prime Minister for Upper Volta from 1971 to 1974 * Gilbert Noël Ouédraogo, member of the

Pan-African Parliament The Pan-African Parliament (PAP), also known as the African Parliament, is the legislative body of the African Union. It held its inaugural session in March 2004. The Parliament exercises oversight, and has advisory and consultative powers, ha ...

* Jean-Baptiste Ouédraogo (born 1942), President of Upper Volta from 1982 to 1983 * Kadré Désiré Ouedraogo (born 1953), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from 1996 to 2000, Burkinabé ambassador to the United Kingdom * Philippe Ouédraogo (born 1942), leader of the

African Independence Party African Independence Party (in French: ''Parti Africain de l'Indépendance'') was a communist party in French West Africa (AOF). PAI was founded in Thiès, Senegal in 1957. Later as AOF was dissolved into independent countries the local PAI sectio ...

and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Ram Ouédraogo (born 1950), member of the Rally of the Democrats of Burkina party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Youssouf Ouédraogo (born 1952), first Prime Minister of Burkina Faso, serving from 1992 to 1994 *

Pargui Emile Paré Pargui Emile Paré is a Burkinabé politician and member of the People's Movement for Socialism/Federal Party (MPS/FP). Running as candidate of the Socialist Alliance, a coalition of the MPS/FP and Unified Socialist Party (PSU). In the 13 N ...

, member of the

People's Movement for Socialism/Federal Party People's, branded as ''People's Viennaline'' until May 2018, and legally ''Altenrhein Luftfahrt GmbH'', is an Austrian airline headquartered in Vienna. It operates scheduled and charter passenger flights mainly from its base at St. Gallen-Altenr ...

and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara (born February 23, 1959) is a Burkinabé politician and the President of the Union for Rebirth/Sankarist Movement (UNIR/MS) party.Union for Rebirth / Sankarist Movement The Union for Rebirth / Sankarist Party (french: Union pour la Renaissance / Parti Sankariste, UNIR / PS) is a political party in Burkina Faso. History The party was founded on November 1, 2000. Its president is Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara. ...

party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Thomas Sankara (1949–1987), first President of Burkina Faso serving from 1984 to 1987, also president of Upper Volta from 1983 to 1984 *

Thomas Sanon Thomas Sanon (born 8 September 1947) is a Burkinabé politician and former diplomat who has been President of the Economic and Social Council of Burkina Faso since 2003. Under President Blaise Compaoré, Sanon previously held various positions i ...

(born 1947), businessman, politician, diplomat *

Clément Sawadogo Clément Pengwendé Sawadogo is a Burkinabé politician who has served in the government of Burkina Faso as Minister of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Security since 2016. He is a member of the People's Movement for Progress (MPP). Sawad ...

, Minister of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Security *

Marie Blandine Sawadogo Marie Blandine Ouédraogo Sawadogo is a member of the Pan-African Parliament from Burkina Faso. Sawadogo is a member of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso representing the Congress for Democracy and Progress party. She was elected to the Pan- ...

, member of the Pan African Parliament *

Salimata Sawadogo Salimata or Salamata Sawadogo Tapsoba (born December 31, 1958, in Ouagadougou, Upper Volta) is the former chair of the African Commission on Human and Peoples' Rights. She is also a magistrate, and (as of 2006), the Ambassador of Burkina Fa ...

(born 1958), Burkinabé ambassador to several African countries * Laurent Sedego (born 1956), former military officer and cabinet member * Nouhoun Sigue (1911–2004), member of the French Senate from 1948 to 1952 * Diongolo Traore (1914–1971), member of the French Senate from 1952 to 1958 *

Hermann Yaméogo Hermann Yaméogo (born August 27, 1948) is a Burkinabé politician and leader of the National Union for Democracy and Development (UNDD). Although he decided to boycott the 13 November 2005 presidential elections a month prior to the poll, his nam ...

(born 1948), leader of the National Union for the Defence of Democracy party * Maurice Yaméogo (1921–1993), first President of Upper Volta, serving from 1983 to 1984 * Salvador Yaméogo, Minister of Transportation and Tourism * Oubkiri Marc Yao, member of the Pan African Parliament * Larba Yarga, member of the Pan African Parliament * Paramanga Ernest Yonli (born 1956), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from 2000 to 2007 *

Marlène Zebango Marlène Habata Zebango is an African politician who was a Minister for Youth and Sports in the government of Burkina Faso Burkina Faso (, ; , ff, 𞤄𞤵𞤪𞤳𞤭𞤲𞤢 𞤊𞤢𞤧𞤮, italic=no) is a landlocked country in West Afric ...

, Minister for Youth and Sports from 1991 to 1993 * Saye Zerbo (born 1932), President of Upper Volta from 1980 to 1982 *

Tertius Zongo Tertius Zongo (born 18 May 1957) was the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from June 2007 to April 2011. Biography Zongo was born in Koudougou. He has an extensive background in economics and accounting. He became Minister Delegate for Budget and Pl ...

(born 1957), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from June 2007 *

Alain Zoubga Alain Dominique Zoubga (born 1953 in Poa) is a Burkinabe politician and medical doctor who has served in the government of Burkina Faso as Minister of Social Action since 2013. Previously, he was appointed as Minister of Health by President Blais ...

(born 1953), medical doctor and leader of the Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party

Sportspeople

Joris Bado Joris Ambroise Bruno Bado, (born May 20, 1991) is a Burkinabé professional basketball player. He currently plays for the Basket Club Montbrison Sports Club of the NM2 in France. Bado is one of Burkina Faso's most prominent basketball figures. ...

(born 1991), basketball player *

Oumar Barro Oumar Barro (born 3 June 1974) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer. A midfielder, Barro gained 29 caps for the Burkina Faso national team, and had a three-year stint with Brøndby IF of the Danish Superliga between 1999 and 2002. Foo ...

(born 1974), sluo player *

Tanguy Barro Tanguy Sie Herman Barro (born 13 September 1982) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for the French clubs Chamois Niortais, Besançon RC, Cognac, and Stade Ruffec as well as for the Belgian teams Racing ...

(born 1982), soccer player * Abdoulaye Cissé (born 1983), soccer player * Brahima Cissé (born 1976), soccer player * Daouda Compaoré (born 1973), soccer player *

Henoc Conombo Henoch Conombo (born 13 June 1986) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a striker. Club career Born in Ouagadougou, Conombo began his career in the youth of SC Bastia and was promoted to first team in 2004.

(born 1986), soccer player * Amadou Coulibaly (born 1984), soccer player * Moumouni Dagano (born 1981), soccer player * Maxime D'Hoore (born 1978), soccer player *

Mohamed Ali Diallo Mohamed Ali Diallo (born May 5, 1978) is a Burkinabé football player who has represented his national team. He was part of the Burkinabé 2004 African Nations Cup team, who finished bottom of their group in the first round of competition, thu ...

, soccer player * Salif Dianda (born 1987), soccer player * Madou Dossama (born 1972), soccer player *

Ibrahim Gnanou Ibrahim Gnanou (born 8 November 1986) is a retired Burkinabé football defender. Although primarily a centre back, he is also able to play full back on either side. Career Gnanou began his career with ASFA Yennega and was scouted from She ...

(born 1986), former soccer player *

Jean-Michel Liade Gnonka Jean-Michel Liade Gnonka (born July 20, 1980 in Ouagadougou) is a Burkinabé football player who last played for Thai club Krabi. International career Gnonka was part of the Burkinabé 2004 African Nations Cup The 2004 African Cup of Nations ...

(born 1980), soccer player *

Abdoul Aziz Kaboré Abdoul Aziz Kaboré (born 1 January 1994) is a Burkinabé professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Luxembourgian team Bettembourg. Between 2015 and 2016, he made three appearances for the Burkina Faso national team. Car ...

(born 1994), soccer player * Mohamed Kaboré (born 1980), DAVE * Bèbè Kambou (born 1982), soccer player * Pascal Karama (born 1993), soccer player *

Mahamoudou Kéré Mahamoudou Kéré (born 2 January 1982) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a centre back. Career Kéré was born in Ouagadougou. On 9 June 2010, he left Charleroi SC to join Turkish side Konyaspor on a 3-year contract ...

(born 1982), soccer player *

Nathanio Kompaoré Nathanio Kompaoré (born 20 June 2001) is a Burkinabé Association football, footballer who plays as a Forward (association football), forward in the R.S.C. Anderlecht, Anderlecht youth system and the Burkina Faso national football team, Burkina F ...

(born 2001), soccer player *

Yssouf Koné Yssouf Koné (born 19 February 1982) is a former professional footballer who played as a forward. Born in Ivory Coast, he represented Burkina Faso at international level. Club career Koné was born in Korhogo, Ivory Coast. Rosenborg Playing fo ...

(born 1982), soccer player * Brahima Korbeogo (born 1975), soccer player * Pierre Koulibaly (born 1986), soccer player * Moustapha Kourouma (born 1977), soccer player * Dieudonné Minoungou (born 1981), soccer player * Toussaint Natama (born 1982), soccer player * Abdoul-Aziz Nikiema (born 1985), soccer player * Amara Ahmed Ouattara (born 1983), soccer player *

Boureima Ouattara Boureima Ouattara (born 13 January 1984) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a centre-back for ASF Bobo Dioulasso, Strømsgodset Toppfotball, and CA Bastia. He was part of the Burkinabé 2002 African Nations Cup team, ...

(born 1984), soccer player * Moussa Ouattara (born 1981), soccer player * Ali Ouédraogo (born 1976), soccer player * Rabaki Jeremie Ouedraogo (born 1973),

road racing cyclist Road bicycle racing is the cycle sport discipline of road cycling, held primarily on paved roads. Road racing is the most popular professional form of bicycle racing, in terms of numbers of competitors, events and spectators. The two most common ...

* Rahim Ouédraogo (born 1980), soccer player * Saïdou Panandétiguiri (born 1984), soccer player * Jonathan Pitroipa (born 1986), soccer player *

Florent Rouamba Florent Rouamba (born 31 December 1986) is a Burkinabé professional footballer who plays as a defensive midfielder for Championnat National 2 club Saint-Pryvé Saint-Hilaire. He has represented Burkina Faso at international level. Career Rouam ...

(born 1986), soccer player * Firmin Sanou (born 1973), soccer player * Idrissa Sanou (born 1977), sprinter *

Olivier Sanou Olivier Sanou (born July 2, 1975) is a retired Burkinan track and field athlete. He was a high jumper before specializing in the triple jump in the late 1990s. A double African champion, Sanou made his mark in Africa. He competed at the 2004 Summ ...

(born 1975),

high jump The high jump is a track and field event in which competitors must jump unaided over a horizontal bar placed at measured heights without dislodging it. In its modern, most-practiced format, a bar is placed between two standards with a crash mat f ...

er and triple jumper * Abroubagui Salbre (born 1993), soccer player * Ousmane Sanou (born 1978), soccer player *

Wilfried Sanou Wilfried Sanou (born 16 March 1984) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a winger or striker. He started his career with Planète Champion in his home country before moving to Austria where he played for Wattens and T ...

(born 1984), soccer player *

Cheick Sanou Cheick "Iron Biby" Sanou (Cheick Ahmed al-Hassan Sanou) is a strongman from Bobo-Dioulasso, Burkina Faso. He is the 2018 and 2019 World Log Lift Champion and holds the Guinness World record for most overhead presses (of ...

(born 1992), Strongman *

Abdoulaye Soulama Abdoulaye Soulama (29 November 1979 – 27 October 2017) was a Burkinabé international footballer. Career In the 2001-2002 football season, Soulama played for Turkish team Denizlispor. He played successful matches at the club which made it to ...

(born 1974), soccer player *

Amadou Tidiane Tall Amadou Tidiane Tall (born 22 June 1975, in Kadiogo) is a Burkinabé football player who last played for Etoile Filante Ouagadougou. Tall previously played for USM Blida in the Algerian Championnat National. He was part of the Burkinabé 2004 ...

(born 1975), soccer player *

Mamadou Tall Mamadou Tall (born 4 December 1982) is a former Burkinabé football player. He was part of the Burkinabé 2002 African Nations Cup team, who finished bottom of group B in the first round of competition, thus failing to secure qualification fo ...

(born 1982), soccer player *

Soumaila Tassembedo Soumaila Tassembedo (born 27 November 1983 in Peni-Houet) is a Burkinabé football player who is currently playing for Etoile Filante Ouagadougou. Career Tassembedo played for Etoile Filante Ouagadougou between 2004 joined than to Sheriff ...

(born 1983), soccer player *

Amadou Touré Amadou Touré (born September 27, 1982) is a Burundian- Burkinabé former footballer who last played in Luxembourg. Career The Burundi-born Touré began his career 1999 at USFRAN at Bobo Dioulasso in First ligue before joining ASFA. He played ...

(born 1979), soccer player * Alain Traoré (born 1988), soccer player * Bertrand Traoré (born 1995), soccer player * Lamine Traoré (born 1982), soccer player * Ousmane Traoré (born 1977), soccer player *

Seydou Traoré Seydou Traoré (born September 17, 1970 in Grand Lahou) is a former Burkinabé footballer. Career He played as a forward for FC Bressuire, Qatar SC, Al-Ain and Al-Qadisiya. International career Traoré has played for the Burkina Faso natio ...

(born 1970), soccer player *

Narcisse Yaméogo Narcisse Yaméogo (born 19 November 1980) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as an attacking midfielder. Club career Born in Ouagadougou, Yaméogo began his career in his native Burkina Faso with ASFA Yennenga, before movi ...

(born 1980), soccer player *

Franck Zio Franck Zio (born 14 August 1971) is a retired Burkinabé long jumper. His personal best jump was , achieved in June 1998 in Viry-Châtillon Viry-Châtillon () is a commune in the southern suburbs of Paris, France. It is located from the cent ...

(born 1971), long jumper *

Issa Zongo Issa Zongo (born 27 July 1980 in Abidjan) is a Burkinabé footballer. He played for ASFA Yennenga. Career Zongo previously played for Satellite FC Abidjan and signed in January 2004 with ASFA Yennenga. International career Zongo was part of t ...

(born 1980), soccer player *

Mamadou Zongo Mamadou "Bebeto" Zongo (born 8 October 1980) is a Burkinabé football coach and former player who played as a striker. Club career Zongo was born in Bobo-Dioulasso. He signed on a free transfer for Romanian club U Cluj in November 2007 and ha ...

(born 1980), soccer player * Patrick Zoundi (born 1982), soccer player

Writers

''See:

List of Burkinabé writers This is a list of Demographics of Burkina Faso, Burkinabé writers. * François Bassolet, François Djobi Bassolet (1933–2001), journalist, historian, and cultural leader * Angèle Bassolé-Ouédraogo (b. 1967), French-language poet, Côte d'Iv ...

Others

Georgie Badiel Georgie Badiel Liberty (born February 7, 1985) is a Burkinabé model and activist living and working in New York City. Badiel was Miss Burkina Faso in 2003 and Miss Africa 2004. She is also a writer and activist who has taken on the issue of th ...

, model, beauty queen, activist and author *

Fatouma Bintou Djibo Fatouma Bintou Djibo, also Fatoumata, is a Burkinabé Resident Coordinator of the United Nations in Niger. She is the Resident Representative of the UNDP (now called the United Nations Sustainable Development Group). She is appointed by the Secre ...

, United Nations representative in Niger * Marie Odile Bonkoungou-Balima, former Minister for Education and ambassador to Germany *

Chantal Compaoré Chantal Compaoré, born Chantal Terrasson de Fougères is the Franco-Ivorian wife of former President Blaise Compaoré of Burkina Faso. Born in the Dabou, Ivory Coast, after becoming the First Lady in 1987 she spent much of her time on charity w ...

, wife of Burkinabé President Blaise Compaoré * Gabin Dabiré, musician * Christine Kafando, HIV/AIDS activist * Diébédo Francis Kéré, architect and founding principal of Kéré Architecture * Bil Aka Kora, musician *

Mogho Naba The ''mogho naba'' of Wogodogo is the ruler ("king of the world") of Wogodogo, one of the Mossi Kingdoms located in present-day Burkina Faso. The kingdom takes its name from its historic capital, now the Burkinabe national capital of Ouagadougou. ...

, King of the Mossi people * Roukiata Ouedraogo, playwright and actress * Philippe Ouédraogo (cardinal) (born 1945) *

Philomaine Nanema Philomaine Nanema, also Philo (born 10 April 1982) is a comedian and actress from Burkina Faso. She is the recipient of the 2020 ECOWAS prize for best young comedian. In 2022 she co-presented ''Hello Doc'', a series intended to encourage COVID-19 ...

, aka Philo (1982-) is a comedian and actress * Yennenga, legendary African princess, mother of the Mossi people *

Henri Zongo Henri Zongo (died 19 September 1989) was a Burkinabé politician and military officer. He served as a key figure in the country's history after decolonisation: Zongo was involved in two successful coup d'états and accused of being the conspirator ...

(died 1989), military officer involved in the 1987 coup d'état in Burkina Faso * Ousmane Zongo (1960–2003), arts trader killed by American police officers in New York City * Lassina Zerbo (born 1963), Executive Secretary of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO)

Filmmakers

Politicians

Sportspeople

Writers

Others

See also