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The twenty imports Burkina Faso is best placed to replace.

Burkina Faso imported USD 3.7bn of manufactured goods in 2024 and exported USD 610m. These are the twenty that sit closest to what it already makes well and where one country supplies most of them.

USD 705mthe twenty, imported in 2024
32products imported at scale, not yet exported well, and close to existing strengths
92products Burkina Faso already exports well
74product lines imported at USD 10m or more
The twenty

Demand, capability, exposure. Nothing else is claimed.

Each line shows the import bill, where it comes from, the nearest thing Burkina Faso already exports well, and how many countries make it. It does not say whether a plant in Burkina Faso would pay. That reason is not in any trade record, and it is the maker's question.

This edition is trade and capability only, scored out of 8. The UK edition adds which public bodies buy each product and which region holds the capability; those layers are built only where a country publishes contract awards and regional trade, and Burkina Faso does not publish them in a form this record can read yet.

  1. 1

    Cement clinkers (whether or not coloured)HS 252310

    Comes fromTogo 51%, 11 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 71m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 143m, top 3 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 3 per cent (3); Togo supplies 51 per cent (1).

    USD 143mdown 5% on 2022
  2. 2

    Sugars: sucrose, chemically pure, in solid form, not containing added flavouring or colouring matterHS 170199

    Comes fromBrazil 75%, 18 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 99k
    Countries that export it well44

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 81m, top 5 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 12 per cent (2); Brazil supplies 75 per cent (2).

    USD 81mup 111% on 2022
  3. 3

    Food preparations: pasta, uncooked (excluding that containing eggs), not stuffed or otherwise preparedHS 190219

    Comes fromIvory Coast 67%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 7 of 8: import bill USD 53m, top 12 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 5 per cent (3); Ivory Coast supplies 67 per cent (2).

    USD 53mup 75% on 2022
  4. 4

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: containing the three fertilizing elements nitrogen, phosphorus and potassiumHS 310520

    Comes fromIvory Coast 48%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 99k
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 63m, top 7 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 11 per cent (2); Ivory Coast supplies 48 per cent (1).

    USD 63mup 14% on 2022
  5. 5

    Tobacco: smoking, other than water pipe tobacco, whether or not containing tobacco substitutes in any proportionHS 240319

    Comes fromIvory Coast 100%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCigarettes: containing tobacco (exports USD 16m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 9k
    Countries that export it well29

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 58m, top 9 per cent of candidates (3); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 26 per cent (1); Ivory Coast supplies 100 per cent (2).

    USD 58mup 9% on 2022
  6. 6

    Fertilizers, mineral or chemical: nitrogenous, urea, whether or not in aqueous solutionHS 310210

    Comes fromIvory Coast 78%, 10 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 86k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 22m, top 28 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 7 per cent (3); Ivory Coast supplies 78 per cent (2).

    USD 22mdown 10% on 2022
  7. 7

    Ceramic tiles: flags and paving, hearth or wall tiles other than those of subheadings 6907.30 and 6907.40, of a water...HS 690722

    Comes fromGhana 95%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCeramic pipes, conduits, guttering and pipe fittings (exports USD 48k)
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 6 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 32 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 8 per cent (3); Ghana supplies 95 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 55% on 2022
  8. 8

    Beer: made from maltHS 220300

    Comes fromDenmark 77%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNon-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in... (exports USD 7m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 68k
    Countries that export it well34

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 30m, top 23 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 30 per cent (1); Denmark supplies 77 per cent (2).

    USD 30mup 4% on 2022
  9. 9

    Soap and organic surface-active products: in the form of bars, cakes, moulded shapes, and paper, wadding, felt and...HS 340119

    Comes fromIvory Coast 88%, 20 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 494k
    Countries that export it well32

    Score 5 of 8: import bill USD 14m, top 64 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 9 per cent (3); Ivory Coast supplies 88 per cent (2).

    USD 14mup 253% on 2022
  10. 10

    Soups and broths and preparations thereforHS 210410

    Comes fromSpain 50%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 5k
    Countries that export it well31

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 39m, top 18 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 27 per cent (1); Spain supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 39mup 73% on 2022
  11. 11

    Extracts, essences and concentrates: of coffee, and preparations with a basis of these extracts, essences or...HS 210111

    Comes fromIvory Coast 99%, 6 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 436k
    Countries that export it well27

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 21m, top 30 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 45 per cent (1); Ivory Coast supplies 99 per cent (2).

    USD 21mup 10% on 2022
  12. 12

    Iron or steel: grinding balls and similar articles for mills, forged or stamped, but not further workedHS 732611

    Comes fromChina 49%, 12 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 153k; 1 more line in the heading, USD 15m
    Countries that export it well14

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 20m, top 43 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); China supplies 49 per cent (1).

    USD 20mdown 5% on 2022
  13. 13

    Quicklime: excluding calcium oxide and hydroxide of heading no. 2825HS 252210

    Comes fromGhana 87%, 5 source countries
    Nearest export strengthCement: portland, other than white, whether or not artificially... (exports USD 71m)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 16m, top 55 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 22 per cent (2); Ghana supplies 87 per cent (2).

    USD 16mup 47% on 2022
  14. 14

    Paper and paperboard: sacks and bags of paper, paperboard, cellulose wadding or fibres, having a base of a width of...HS 481930

    Comes fromIvory Coast 63%, 13 source countries
    Nearest export strengthPaper and paperboard: sulphite wrapping paper, uncoated, in rolls or... (exports USD 192k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well36

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 12m, top 81 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 16 per cent (2); Ivory Coast supplies 63 per cent (2).

    USD 12mdown 46% on 2022
  15. 15

    Plastics: carboys, bottles, flasks and similar articles, for the conveyance or packing of goodsHS 392330

    Comes fromIvory Coast 72%, 38 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNon-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in...
    Exports of this lineUSD 7k
    Countries that export it well47

    Score 4 of 8: import bill USD 11m, top 91 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 24 per cent (2); Ivory Coast supplies 72 per cent (2).

    USD 11mup 8% on 2022
  16. 16

    Insulated electric conductors: for a voltage not exceeding 1000 volts, not fitted with connectorsHS 854449

    Comes fromMorocco 35%, 49 source countries
    Nearest export strengthWaste and scrap of lead-acid accumulators: spent lead-acid... (exports USD 1m)
    Exports of this lineUSD 76k
    Countries that export it well35

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 32m, top 22 per cent of candidates (2); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 49 per cent (1).

    USD 32mup 68% on 2022
  17. 17

    Plastics: tubes, pipes and hoses thereof, rigid, of polymers of ethyleneHS 391721

    Comes fromGhana 46%, 22 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well40

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 18m, top 49 per cent of candidates (1); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 32 per cent (1); Ghana supplies 46 per cent (1).

    USD 18mup 28% on 2022
  18. 18

    Cosmetic and toilet preparations: n.e.c. in heading no. 3304, for the care of the skin (excluding medicaments...HS 330499

    Comes fromIvory Coast 79%, 34 source countries
    Nearest export strengthnone in the same chapter
    Exports of this lineUSD 84k
    Countries that export it well30

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 53 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 46 per cent (1); Ivory Coast supplies 79 per cent (2).

    USD 17mup 242% on 2022
  19. 19

    Vegetable preparations: tomatoes, (other than whole or in pieces), prepared or preserved otherwise than by vinegar or...HS 200290

    Comes fromItaly 74%, 14 source countries
    Nearest export strengthJuice: of single citrus fruit (excluding orange, grapefruit or... (exports USD 772k)
    Exports of this linenone recorded
    Countries that export it well24

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 17m, top 54 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 28 per cent (1); Italy supplies 74 per cent (2).

    USD 17mdown 15% on 2022
  20. 20

    Sauces and preparations therefor: mixed condiments and mixed seasoningsHS 210390

    Comes fromChina 50%, 17 source countries
    Nearest export strengthNon-alcoholic beverages: other than non-alcoholic beer, n.e.c. in...
    Exports of this lineUSD 10k
    Countries that export it well45

    Score 3 of 8: import bill USD 15m, top 57 per cent of candidates (0); proximity to Burkina Faso's export strengths in the top 19 per cent (2); China supplies 50 per cent (1).

    USD 15mup 79% on 2022

One line per customs heading. Products Burkina Faso already exports well and still imports are below, because they are a different conversation. No employment figures appear on this page, by decision.

Made here already, still imported

Scale conversations, not capability ones.

  • Iron or non-alloy steel: bars and rods, hot-rolled, in irregularly wound... imports USD 53m, exports USD 6m, top source China 80%
  • Explosives, prepared: other than propellent powders imports USD 23m, exports USD 5m, top source Russia 71%
  • Vehicles: dumpers, designed for off-highway use, for transport of goods imports USD 17m, exports USD 8m, top source China 35%
  • Graders and levellers imports USD 10m, exports USD 2m, top source China 43%
  • Boring or sinking machinery: self-propelled, n.e.c. in heading no. 8430 imports USD 11m, exports USD 4m, top source Finland 20%
How the twenty were chosen

Three scores, each from a field the record carries.

Import bill, 0 to 3, by percentile among the 74 lines imported at USD 10m or more: above the median one point, top quarter two, top tenth three.

Proximity to export strengths, 0 to 3, on the same percentiles: the product-space method (Hidalgo, Klinger, Barabasi and Hausmann, Science 2007) on CEPII's BACI file of every bilateral trade flow for 2024, 157 countries and 5,388 products. Two products are close when the countries that export one well tend to export the other well. Only products in the upper half for proximity can enter the list at all: best placed is a proximity claim.

Supply concentration, 0 to 2: one point when a single country supplies 40 per cent or more, two at 60 per cent.

Scope. Manufactured goods, customs chapters 16 to 96, excluding ores, fuels and precious metals. Primary agriculture is out of scope for a page about manufacture.

What it cannot tell you

A map of where to look.

Trade data says what crossed the border, not why. Cost, scale, patents, tariffs and the plain fact that a supplier is good at it are all invisible here. The world file reconciles what each pair of countries reports, so a national customs file would differ in detail. Nothing on this page is a forecast or a promise.

Source: CEPII BACI, HS22, version 202601, years 2022 to 2024. Edition of 2026-11-02. The UK edition with its procurement and regional layers is at /made-here/.

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