Burkina Faso’s legislature unanimously approved a bill defining strategic economic, commercial and industrial entities on October 19, 2026, with all 71 participating lawmakers voting in favour. The reform revises legislation dating from December 20, 1993. (an.bf)
Wider state control over strategic assets
According to parliament’s account, the bill prohibits privatisation of strategic public entities and requires prior cabinet authorisation for specified sensitive transactions, including major financial commitments, transfers of strategic resources and decisions that could interrupt strategic activities. It also reserves the state’s ability to acquire or increase equity holdings in strategic businesses. (an.bf)
The framework permits certain activities to be reserved for national actors and regulates some partnerships between strategic private enterprises and foreign partners. It also protects covered assets against seizure. (an.bf)
The enterprise list is still to come
The government will establish and update the list of covered entities by cabinet decree. Consequently, the vote should not be described as an announced nationalisation of particular companies or as proof that every major mining, banking or energy business is already designated strategic. (an.bf)