Complete guide

How to find software developers in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso
February 22, 2023
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Burkina Faso is a landlocked country in West Africa. It has a population of over 20 million people and covers an area of over 274,000 square kilometres. The official language is French and the capital is Ouagadougou. Burkina Faso is largely agricultural, with its main crops being cotton, cereals and livestock. The economy is heavily reliant on gold, cotton and livestock products, which account for more than 90% of exports. The country has a rich cultural heritage and is home to a variety of ethnic groups. Burkina Faso is also a major recipient of foreign aid, and has seen significant economic growth in recent years.

Why Burkina Faso is a good place to find developers

Developer statistics in Burkina Faso

According to a report released by the International Labour Organization, Burkina Faso has over 1 million people employed in the tech sector, making up 3.9% of its total workforce. This is a significant increase from 1.6% in 2008. The tech sector is the second largest employer in the country, after agriculture.The report also notes that the majority of tech workers in Burkina Faso are employed in the IT services sector, with software development and IT consulting being the primary areas of employment. The highest concentrations of tech talent can be found in Ouagadougou, the capital city, where over 50% of tech workers are employed.The tech talent in Burkina Faso is largely untapped, with only a small percentage of the population having access to technology and skilled digital jobs. This presents an opportunity for the country to develop its digital economy, create more jobs and improve the quality of life of its citizens.

The tech ecosystem in Burkina Faso

The tech ecosystem in Burkina Faso is still in its early stages of development, but it is slowly growing. There are a few tech companies and startups in the region, such as Bemobile, a mobile payments company, and WAFRIK, an online marketplace. There are also some tech incubators and accelerators such as Bwabu and Kooma, which are helping to develop the local tech scene. Additionally, there are some government initiatives in place to support the local tech industry, such as the Startup Burkina Faso program. Although it is still a developing tech ecosystem, there is a lot of potential for growth in the near future.

Best tech meetups in Burkina Faso

Attending local meetups is a great way of getting introduced  to technical talent and getting a better feel for what software developers care about.
These are the best local meetups:

1. Burkina Faso Entrepreneurship and Technology Meetup
2. Burkina Faso Android Developer Meetup
3. Burkina Faso Web and Mobile Developers Meetup
4. Burkina Faso Data Science Meetup
5. Burkina Faso Cyber Security Meetup
6. Burkina Faso Blockchain Meetup
7. Burkina Faso Cloud Computing Meetup
8. Burkina Faso Artificial Intelligence Meetup
9. Burkina Faso Internet of Things Meetup
10. Burkina Faso Machine Learning Meetup

Best methods to source and recruit talent in Burkina Faso

There are many different ways to find and hire developers, some examples are:



1. Use Online Job Platforms: Leverage popular job boards such as Indeed, Glassdoor, and Monster to find qualified software development talent in Burkina Faso.

2. Leverage Professional Networks: Ask around in professional networks like LinkedIn and local tech communities for referrals to qualified developers.

3. Hire a Recruiting Agency: Consider partnering with a recruiting agency that specializes in finding software development talent in Burkina Faso.

4. Attend Local Events: Attend local tech events and meetups as these are great places to meet and connect with software developers.

5. Use Social Media Platforms: Use social media platforms such as Twitter and Facebook to find qualified software developers in Burkina Faso.

These are currently the best methods to find and hire developers:

Search LinkedIn, GitHub and Stack Overflow and reach out

The best way to find developer talent in Burkina Faso is to find them in the places where they have an online profile and are active. Examples of those platforms are GitHub and Stack Overflow. LinkedIn can also be a valuable source.

Talent search engines can help you find developers online through a variety of sources. Most talent search engines also provide verified contact details so you can reach out to the talent you have found. In some cases these engines even automate a big part of the outreach process so you can reach hundreds of candidates per day.

An example of a talent search and engagement engine is HeroHunt.ai which can find 1 billion candidates worldwide and lets you reach out automatically with personalized messages.

Best job boards to find developers in Burkina Faso

An alternative way to attract development talent is to post a job on a (local) job board.

These are the best local job boards to post your developer job on:

1. LinkedIn
2. Glassdoor
3. Indeed
4. Facebook
5. Monster
6. CareerBuilder
7. Jumia Jobs
8. Jobberman
9. Upwork
10. Naukri

Best remote job boards to find developers in Burkina Faso

If you are sourcing for remote talent then you can utilize remote specific job boards where you can post your remote job.

These are the best remote job boards to post your developer job on:

1. Upwork
2. Freelancer.com
3. Fiverr
4. LinkedIn
5. Guru
6. Glassdoor
7. Remote.co
8. WeWorkRemotely
9. FlexJobs
10. PeoplePerHour

How to hire software developers from any place without a local office

When you’re hiring software developers you need to be aware of the local average salaries in order to provide a competitive job offer. Below are the average salaries for software developers per experience level.

Average local salaries

Average salary for a junior software developer in Burkina Faso

The average salary for a junior developer in Burkina Faso is around 789,000 CFA per month (approximately $1,400 USD). This salary can vary depending on the level of experience and the specific job duties. Junior developers are typically responsible for creating and maintaining software applications, performing coding and programming tasks, debugging software, and helping to design new applications. They may also be asked to provide technical support and troubleshoot issues. In addition to their salary, junior developers may also receive additional benefits such as health insurance, paid vacations, and training opportunities.

Average salary for a senior software developer in Burkina Faso

The average salary for a senior developer in Burkina Faso is approximately $2,400 per month. This salary is slightly above the global average for a senior developer, and is generally considered a good salary for the region. Senior developers in Burkina Faso are typically expected to have a strong technical background and experience in multiple programming languages. They are often responsible for developing and maintaining software applications, databases, and web-based systems, as well as troubleshooting any issues that arise. They may also be involved in the design and implementation of new systems and processes.

Employing software developers (remotely)

Maybe your company doesn't have an office (yet) in Burkina Faso. But that doesn't mean you can't hire employees in Burkina Faso. There are several options like EORs which can help employ developers legally according to the regulations in Burkina Faso.



An Employer of Record (EOR) is a service used by businesses in Burkina Faso to hire and manage employees without having to go through the process of setting up a local legal entity. An EOR will act as the legal employer of the employee, taking responsibility for all legal and administrative obligations, including payroll, taxes, and contract management.

1. Identify the EOR service provider:

The first step is to identify a reputable and experienced EOR service provider that is familiar with the regulations in Burkina Faso. Make sure to review the company’s credentials and check references from other clients.

2. Determine the services needed:

Once you’ve identified a provider, the next step is to determine the services that you’ll need. This will depend on the type of employee you’re hiring and the nature of their work. Speak to the EOR provider to determine the scope of services they offer.

3. Set up the contract:

Once you’ve agreed on the services, the next step is to set up the contract. Make sure to include all the necessary details such as salary, benefits, and any other conditions of employment. This should be done in accordance with Burkina Faso’s local labor laws.

4. Monitor the employee:

The EOR will be responsible for managing the employee, but it’s important to stay informed and monitor the performance of the employee. Make sure to review reports and performance reviews regularly.

5. Make payments:

The EOR will take care of all payroll and tax obligations, but you’ll still need to make sure that payments are made on time.

Following these steps will ensure that you’re able to make use of an EOR in Burkina Faso to hire and manage employees without having to set up a local legal entity.

Use a platform to find and hire the best developers:
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