OUAGADOUGOU – Burkina Faso’s military government has introduced sweeping new rules requiring all non-governmental organizations operating in the country to allocate at least 80% of their budgets to direct field investments.

The measures were approved during a Council of Ministers session on September 24, 2026.

Under the two decrees, the government aims to curb administrative overhead and ensure that foreign aid reaches local populations more effectively.

The threshold effectively caps spending on non-field costs – including salaries, logistics, audits and operating expenses – at a maximum of 20%.

The new framework overhauls how NGOs obtain and retain legal status.

Burkinabe associations must now sign a framework agreement with the state, while foreign organizations will be governed by a headquarters agreement.

The reforms also introduce mandatory territorial investment plans, specialized ministerial review committees, and regular administrative, financial and technical evaluations.

Additional requirements include state accreditation for humanitarian organizations, routing non-profit funds through the national treasury system, and prioritizing local procurement of goods and services.

Existing organizations have been given two years to comply and will be subject to audits during the transition period.

The government says the aim is to ensure that funds mobilized on behalf of vulnerable populations directly finance the actions for which they are intended.

Tightening Program

The move extends a tightening that began with the 2025 law on freedom of association.

It also comes five months after authorities dissolved 118 NGOs and associations.

Government officials present the reform as a push for sovereignty and aid effectiveness.

Aid groups and critics warn that compressing operational costs could weaken accountability systems and increase state control over humanitarian operations.