High Cost of Living in Burkina Faso: Ibrahim Traoré Discusses Direct State Control of Certain Products

Burkina Faso's President Ibrahim Traoré announced that the government might directly handle the importation and pricing of certain products to combat rising living costs and exploitative traders. He mentioned the potential creation of a new distribution network where young people would be trained and supplied by the state to sell goods at fixed prices. Although no final decision has been made, Traoré warned that such measures could become irreversible if traders do not cease their practices. The existing regulation by Faso Yaar since February 2026 involves selling basic goods like sugar, oil, soap, and some juices at controlled prices across multiple regions.