Burkina Faso: Innovative framework adopted to regulate associations and enhance transparency
During the Cabinet meeting on Wednesday, December 18, 2024, the Burkinabe government reached an important milestone by adopting a bill aimed at clearly differentiating associations from political or commercial organizations. This initiative is part of a broader effort to modernize, ensure transparency, and increase oversight of associative activities.
The proposed law introduces significant reforms to define the scope of associative activities. The goal is to prevent confusion between non-profit associations, political structures, and commercial entities, ensuring that each organization adheres to its designated framework of operation.
Among the key measures in this bill is the prohibition for ministers, heads of institutions, administrative district chiefs, and presidents of local government councils from holding leadership roles in associations. This provision ensures greater impartiality and helps prevent conflicts of interest.
Associations will now be required to submit their budgets, annual accounts, and financial reports to the ministers responsible for public freedoms, economy, and finance, as well as to those overseeing their area of intervention. This enhanced oversight aims to prevent financial misconduct, such as money laundering, and combat the funding of illicit activities, including terrorism.
Another noteworthy innovation is the separation of the process for signing an establishment agreement from obtaining Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) status. This status will now be reserved exclusively for associations that demonstrate the capacity to fund development projects, thereby highlighting truly impactful initiatives.
This initiative by the Burkinabe government is commendable, as it enables better control over associative activities and their areas of intervention. It also strengthens efforts against security and economic threats while promoting responsible governance.
This bill marks a decisive turning point in the regulation of the associative sector and reinforces Burkina Faso’s commitment to transparent and secure management.
