How to Address an International Letter to Burkina Faso

Addressing a letter to Burkina Faso requires attention to the proper use of postal codes and city names, as postal delivery in the country often relies heavily on Post Office Boxes (Boîte Postale or B.P.). This guide provides the correct formats for residential, business, rural, PO Box, and military addresses, as well as special considerations for government offices, NGOs, and courier services.

Standard Address Format in Burkina Faso

The typical format for addressing a letter to Burkina Faso includes the following elements:

1. Recipient Name: The full name of the person or business receiving the letter.
2. Street Address or PO Box: The recipient’s street address or PO Box number (commonly known as Boîte Postale or B.P.).
3. City or Town: The name of the city or town where the recipient resides.
4. Postal Code: Burkina Faso uses a two-digit postal code system for some areas.
5. Country: Always include “BURKINA FASO” in capital letters on the last line for international mail.

Detailed Format Breakdown

1. Recipient Name
   The recipient’s full name should be written on the first line. For business addresses, include the company name first, followed by the recipient’s name or department.

   Example:
   Ali Sanou
   or
   ABC SARL
   Attn: Ali Sanou

2. Street Address or PO Box (B.P.)
   Provide the street name and house/building number if available. In most cases, recipients use a Boîte Postale (B.P.) for mail, so if applicable, write “B.P.” followed by the box number.

   Example:
   Rue de la Paix 16
   or
   B.P. 1234

3. City or Town
   Include the name of the city or town where the recipient resides. Major cities in Burkina Faso include Ouagadougou (the capital), Bobo-Dioulasso, and Koudougou.

   Example:
   Ouagadougou
   or
   Bobo-Dioulasso

4. Postal Code
   While not always necessary, Burkina Faso uses postal codes in some areas. These codes consist of two digits.

   Example:
   01 Ouagadougou
   or
   02 Bobo-Dioulasso

5. Country Name
   For international mail, always write “BURKINA FASO” in capital letters on the last line.

   Example:
   BURKINA FASO

Residential Address Format

For residential addresses, include the recipient’s name, street address or PO Box, city or town, postal code (if applicable), and country.

Example:
Ali Sanou
Rue de la Paix 16
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

Business Address Format

For business addresses, include the company name on the first line, followed by the recipient’s name or department. The rest of the address follows the standard format.

Example:
ABC SARL
Attn: Ali Sanou
B.P. 5678
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

PO Box Address Format

For letters sent to a PO Box, replace the street address with “B.P.” followed by the appropriate box number.

Example:
Ali Sanou
B.P. 1234
02 Bobo-Dioulasso
BURKINA FASO

Rural Address Format

In rural areas where formal street names may not exist, include the name of the village or settlement, followed by the nearest larger town and the country.

Example:
Kofi Koulibaly
Village of Tenkodogo
Near Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

Military Address Format

For military personnel stationed in Burkina Faso, mail typically follows the civilian postal system, with specific military unit or base information if necessary.

Example:
Rank and Full Name
Military Unit 123
B.P. 2345
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

Government Office Address

For mail addressed to government offices in Burkina Faso, include the name of the office or department before the street address or PO Box.

Example:
Ministry of Foreign Affairs
B.P. 567
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

International Addressing for NGOs and Organizations

For international organizations or NGOs operating in Burkina Faso, include the organization’s name and specific department.

Example:
Red Cross Burkina Faso
Attn: Relief Department
B.P. 789
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

Addressing for Courier vs. Postal Services

When using courier services such as DHL or FedEx, include additional contact details such as phone numbers, as couriers often require more specific delivery instructions in rural or remote areas.

Example (Courier):
Ali Sanou
Rue de la Paix 16
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO
Phone: +226 70 123 456

Addressing for Multiple Recipients

When addressing a letter to multiple recipients at the same address, list the names on separate lines.

Example (Family):
The Sanou Family
B.P. 1234
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

Example (Business Department):
ABC SARL
Attn: Finance Department
B.P. 5678
01 Ouagadougou
BURKINA FASO

Special Considerations

• PO Box Usage: Many addresses in Burkina Faso rely on PO Boxes (Boîte Postale or B.P.), especially in rural areas. Be sure to confirm whether the recipient prefers a PO Box or street address.

• Rural Addressing: In rural areas where there are no formal street names, include as much detail as possible, including village names and proximity to larger towns.

• Language: French is the official language in Burkina Faso, so addresses should be written in French for domestic and international mail to avoid confusion.

Commonly Accepted Abbreviations

• B.P. for Boîte Postale (Post Office Box)
• Rue for Street
• Av. for Avenue
• Nr. for Number (House or Building Number)

Key Tips for Formatting

• Capitalization: Write the address in capital letters for clarity and legibility.
• Left Alignment: Ensure that all lines of the address are left-aligned for ease of reading and postal processing.
• Phone Number for Couriers: Providing a contact phone number is recommended for courier services, particularly for rural or less accessible areas.
• PO Box Usage: Many residents and businesses in Burkina Faso rely on PO Boxes, so confirm the preferred format for mail delivery.