Burkina Faso is a West African country often known as the Land of the Upright men. Following major national reforms Burkina Faso’s model cotton industry is among the strongest agri-businesses in Africa second only to South Africa. For professionals interested in national or economic development initiatives, the country is ideal to explore for options.
Being a French-speaking nation, teaching English at various levels using TEFL certification can be one way to find work in the country. However, since the country has limited natural resources, the government is hard pressed to meet domestic demands. This situation leads to entry of major NGO’s, which is a good entry point for prospective workers.
FAO (Food and Agriculture Organization) is one of the major NGO’s active in the country. The organization is active in provision of better quality seeds, and veterinary care to vulnerable population in Burkina Faso. The organizations ultimate objective being provision of a permanent solution to the food crisis.
Another major NGO in Burkina Faso is the UNHCR, which typically serves refugees. In Burkina Faso, all temporary camps are served by the UNHCR, who provide materials, medical, food and other support to the refugees. Refugees in the country come from countries experiencing conflict such as Mali. ACORD has also been active in Burkina Faso for almost 30 years. The organization collaborates with others in strengthening marginalised farmers, capacity building, and advocacy to improve the condition of the local community. Burkina Faso also earns some revenue from gold exports. Though the mining industry is not huge, there are jobs for mining engineering specialists. Burkina Faso can be a land of opportunity for prospectors who bark up the right tree.
