This is a list of notable people from

Burkina Faso Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa, bordered by Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Ivory Coast to the southwest. It covers an area of 274,223 km2 (105,87 ...

, formerly French Upper Volta.

Artists

Filmmakers

* Sarah Bouyain (born 1968), French-Burkinabé film director * Gaston Kaboré (born 1951), film director * Fanta Régina Nacro (born 1962), film director * Idrissa Ouedraogo (born 1954), film and television director whose films include '' Yaaba'' (1989) * Pierre Rouamba (1951–2023)

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, Minister of Public Health and Population for Upper Volta * Djibril Bassolé (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 (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 so ...

to Canada * Blaise Compaoré (born 1951), President of Burkina Faso from 1987 * Simon Compaoré (born 1952), Mayor of

Ouagadougou Ouagadougou or Wagadugu (, , , ) is the capital city of Burkina Faso, and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic centre of the nation. It is also the List of cities in Burkina Faso#Largest cities, country's largest city, wi ...

* Joseph Conombo (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 (born 1939), member of the Union for Democracy and Development party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Noellie Marie Béatri Damiba (born 1951), journalist and diplomat * Bernadette Sanou Dao (born 1952), Burkinabé Minister for Culture from 1986 to 1987 * Frédéric Guirma, politician, head of the RDA and 2001 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Emile Ilboudo, ambassador to

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

* Nayabtigungu Congo Kaboré (born 1948), leader of the Movement for Tolerance and Progress party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Roch Marc Christian Kaboré Roch Marc Christian Kaboré (; born 25 April 1957) is a Burkinabé banker and politician who served as the President of Burkina Faso from 2015 until he was deposed in 2022. He was the Prime Minister of Burkina Faso between 1994 and 1996 and Pre ...

(born 1957), President of the National Assembly of Burkina Faso * Michel Kafando (born 1942), Burkinabé ambassador to the

United Nations The United Nations (UN) is the Earth, global intergovernmental organization established by the signing of the Charter of the United Nations, UN Charter on 26 June 1945 with the stated purpose of maintaining international peace and internationa ...

* 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 * Yabre Juliette Kongo (born 1966), member of National Assemblu * Zakalia Koté, Minister of Justice from 2007 to 2011 *

Sangoulé Lamizana Aboubakar Sangoulé Lamizana (31 January 1916 – 26 May 2005) was an Upper Voltan military officer who served as the President of Upper Volta (since 1984 renamed Burkina Faso), in power from 3 January 1966, to 25 November 1980. He held the ...

(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, Regional Adviser for Africa within the

African Development Bank The African Development Bank Group (AfDB, also known as BAD in French) is a multilateral development finance institution, headquartered in Abidjan, Ivory Coast since September 2014. The AfDB is a financial provider to African governments and ...

and former foreign minister for Burkina Faso * Gérard Kango Ouédraogo (1925–2014), 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 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, member of the People's Movement for Socialism/Federal Party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate * Bouri Sanhouidi (born 1949), diplomat * Bénéwendé Stanislas Sankara (born 1959), president of the Union for Rebirth / Sankarist Movement party and 2005 Burkina Faso presidential candidate *

Thomas Sankara Thomas Isidore Noël Sankara (; 21 December 1949 – 15 October 1987) was a Burkinabè military officer, Marxist and Pan-Africanist revolutionary who served as the President of Burkina Faso from 1983, following his takeover in a coup, until ...

(1949–1987), first President of Burkina Faso serving from 1984 to 1987, also president of Upper Volta from 1983 to 1984 * Thomas Sanon (born 1947), businessman, politician, diplomat * Clément Sawadogo, Minister of the Civil Service, Labour and Social Security * Marie Blandine Sawadogo, member of the Pan African Parliament * Salimata Sawadogo (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 (born 1948), leader of the National Union for the Defence of Democracy party *

Maurice Yaméogo Maurice Nawalagmba Yaméogo (31 December 1921 – 15 September 1993) was the first President of the Republic of Upper Volta, now called Burkina Faso, from 1960 until 1966. "Monsieur Maurice" embodied the Voltaic state at the moment of independen ...

(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, Minister for Youth and Sports from 1991 to 1993 *

Saye Zerbo Saye Zerbo (27 August 1932 – 19 September 2013) was a Burkinabé military officer who was the third President of the Republic of Upper Volta (now Burkina Faso) from 25 November 1980 until 7 November 1982. He led a coup in 1980, but was resiste ...

(1932–2013), President of Upper Volta from 1980 to 1982 * Tertius Zongo (born 1957), Prime Minister of Burkina Faso from June 2007 * Alain Zoubga (born 1953), medical doctor and leader of the Party for Democracy and Progress / Socialist Party

Sportspeople

* Joris Bado (born 1991),

basketball Basketball is a team sport in which two teams, most commonly of five players each, opposing one another on a rectangular Basketball court, court, compete with the primary objective of #Shooting, shooting a basketball (ball), basketball (appro ...

player * Oumar Barro (born 1974), sluo player * Tanguy Barro (born 1982), soccer player * Abdoulaye Cissé (born 1983), soccer player * Brahima Cissé (born 1976), soccer player * Daouda Compaoré (born 1973), soccer player * Henoc Conombo (born 1986), soccer player * Amadou Coulibaly (born 1984), soccer player *

Moumouni Dagano Beli Moumouni Dagano (born 1 January 1981) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer who played as a forward. He is the Burkina Faso national team's all-time leading goalscorer. Club career Dagano began his career at Ivorian side Stella ...

(born 1981), soccer player * Maxime D'Hoore (born 1978), soccer player * Mohamed Ali Diallo, soccer player * Salif Dianda (born 1987), soccer player * Madou Dossama (born 1972), soccer player * Ibrahim Gnanou (born 1986), former soccer player * Jean-Michel Liade Gnonka (born 1980), soccer player * Abdoul Aziz Kaboré (born 1994), soccer player * Mohamed Kaboré (born 1980), DAVE * Bèbè Kambou (born 1982), soccer player * Pascal Karama (born 1993), soccer player * Mahamoudou Kéré (born 1982), soccer player * Nathanio Kompaoré (born 2001), soccer player * Yssouf Koné (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 (born 1984), soccer player * Dango Ouattara (born 2002), soccer player * Moussa Ouattara (born 1981), soccer player * Ali Ouédraogo (born 1976), soccer player * Rabaki Jérémie Ouédraogo (born 1973), road racing cyclist * Rahim Ouédraogo (born 1980), soccer player * Saïdou Panandétiguiri (born 1984), soccer player *

Jonathan Pitroipa Beninwende Yann Jonathan Pitroipa (born 12 April 1986) is a Burkinabé former professional association football, footballer who played as a winger (association football), winger. Since making his debut for Burkina Faso in 2006, he has featured ...

(born 1986), soccer player * Florent Rouamba (born 1986), soccer player * Firmin Sanou (born 1973), soccer player * Idrissa Sanou (born 1977), sprinter * Olivier Sanou (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 jump The triple jump, sometimes referred to as the hop, step and jump or the hop, skip and jump, is a track and field event, similar to long jump. As a group, the two events are referred to as the "horizontal jumps". The competitor runs down the tr ...

er * Abroubagui Salbre (born 1993), soccer player *

Ousmane Sanou Ousmane Sanou (born 11 March 1978) is a Burkinabé former professional footballer A football player or footballer is a sportsperson who plays one of the different types of football. The main types of football are association football, Ameri ...

(born 1978), soccer player * Wilfried Sanou (born 1984), soccer player * Cheick Sanou (born 1992), Strongman * Abdoulaye Soulama (born 1974), soccer player * Amadou Tidiane Tall (born 1975), soccer player * Mamadou Tall (born 1982), soccer player * Edmond Tapsoba (born 1999), soccer player * Soumaila Tassembedo (born 1983), soccer player * Amadou Touré (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 nat ...

(born 1970), soccer player * Narcisse Yaméogo (born 1980), soccer player * Franck Zio (born 1971),

long jump The long jump is a track and field event in which athletes combine speed, strength and agility in an attempt to leap as far as possible from a takeoff point. Along with the triple jump, the two events that measure jumping for distance as a gr ...

er * Issa Zongo (born 1980), soccer player * Mamadou Zongo (born 1980), soccer player * Patrick Zoundi (born 1982), soccer player

Writers

''See: List of Burkinabé writers''

Others

* Georgie Badiel, model, beauty queen, activist and author * Fatouma Bintou Djibo, United Nations representative in Niger * Marie Odile Bonkoungou-Balima, former Minister for Education and ambassador to Germany * Chantal Compaoré, 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, King of the

Mossi people The Mossi or Mosi are a Gur languages, Gur ethnic group native to modern Burkina Faso, primarily the Volta River basin. The Mossi are the largest ethnic group in Burkina Faso, constituting 52% of the population, or about 11.1 million people. The ...

* Roukiata Ouedraogo, playwright and actress * Philippe Ouédraogo (cardinal) (born 1945) * Philomaine Nanema, aka Philo (born 1982), comedian and actress *

Yennenga Yennenga (born 11th-15th century) was a legendary princess, considered the mother of the Mossi people of Burkina Faso. She was a famous warrior within the Kingdom of Dagbon, now in present day Ghana. The founder of the Kingdom of Dagbon was her fa ...

, legendary African princess, mother of the Mossi people * Henri Zongo (died 1989), military officer involved in the 1987

coup d'état A coup d'état (; ; ), or simply a coup , is typically an illegal and overt attempt by a military organization or other government elites to unseat an incumbent leadership. A self-coup is said to take place when a leader, having come to powe ...

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) * Hamidou Toure (born 1954), mathematician who has played a significant role in the development of mathematics programs in Burkina Faso, from the pre-school level to university level.

References

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