E-commerce in Burkina Faso

E-commerce

E-commerce market

E-trade is not yet developed in Burkina Faso, as the country lacks the infrastructure and legal systems to support it. Other obstacles to the development of online commerce are the low rates of internet penetration and the poor quality of internet connection (which is not helped by the lack of competition in the telecommunications sector).
According to a study on Western African countries by UNCTAD, e-commerce is developing mainly in the informal economy, through private classifieds sites (like Jumia.bf, Rigo Faso or Bonbiz) and social networks (according to IWS, in Burkina Faso there are around 840,000 Facebook subscribers). Furthermore, some professional operators have developed platforms covering sectors such as agribusiness, clothing, IT and household appliances. Online payments remain marginal despite an increased dynamism in the development of electronic payment systems, with cash on delivery still being the standard payment method.
Logistics is another factor hindering e-commerce, as often delivering consumer goods bought or sold online is almost impossible, especially outside of urban areas.