• Burkina Faso bans check payments in public administration from Oct 1
• Citizens must use cash, transfers, mobile money, or Faso Arzeka
• Move aims to cut delays, boost efficiency, and secure finances

Burkina Faso's public administration will no longer accept checks as a form of payment for financial transactions starting Wednesday, October 1, 2025. The measure was formalized on Tuesday, September 9, 2025, by a circular from Minister of Economy and Finance Aboubakar Nacanabo.

The ban applies to all public entities, including central government agencies, local authorities, state-owned enterprises, and any body that manages state funds.

According to the government, the use of checks has caused repeated operational issues, including payment incidents and transaction delays that generate additional costs and strain the national budget. These problems have made it difficult to manage public finances efficiently and have negatively affected the quality of services provided to the public. While authorities did not provide specific figures on the extent of the problem, the measure underscores the limitations of using checks in financial transactions with the government.

Starting in October, citizens must use alternative payment methods for their transactions with the administration. The authorized options are: cash, bank transfers, mobile money, and the Faso Arzeka electronic platform, which is already used for online tax and fee payments. A 30-day transition period will be allowed for checks issued before October 1, 2025.

The decision is part of a broader strategy to improve the efficiency of public services and ensure greater security for financial transactions. Burkina Faso is promoting the use of digital payments and cash to enhance public treasury management and the quality of services. The gradual phase-out of checks is intended to align national practices with this digital trend while securing the state's financial flows.

Chamberline Moko