Burkina Faso Type Approval Summary
Burkina Faso is one of the emerging telecommunications markets in West Africa. The country has demonstrated strong economic resilience despite significant security challenges.
With a population of approximately 23.8 million people, Burkina Faso has relatively high levels of mobile adoption, but its internet user base remains relatively low. In terms of revenue, the country has shown a stable growth trend over the years.
Like most countries in Africa, Burkina Faso faces challenges related to infrastructure gaps. However, the telecommunications sector remains one of the country's key economic drivers.
Manufacturers and importers looking to expand their markets can consider Burkina Faso a strategic market in West Africa. To enter this market, the first step is to understand the applicable compliance requirements.
This compliance requirement is known as “ARCEP Type Approval.” ARCEP stands for Autorité de Régulation des Communications Électroniques et des Postes (Electronic Communications and Postal Regulatory Authority).
ARCEP is an independent regulatory authority responsible for electronic communications networks and services in Burkina Faso. The agency operates under the administrative oversight of the Prime Minister’s Office.
In carrying out its responsibilities, ARCEP ensures that all telecommunications equipment imported, marketed, and used in Burkina Faso is safe and does not cause harmful interference. This is verified through the type approval certification process.
Understanding ARCEP’s type approval requirements and process will make it easier for manufacturers and importers to obtain certification. Furthermore, the type approval certificate serves as proof of regulatory compliance for telecommunications products intended for the Burkinabé market—a rapidly growing market in West Africa.
Who Can Be an Applicant?
- Local representative
- Required
Only locally registered companies may apply for ARCEP Type Approval. Applications must be submitted by manufacturers, importers, sellers, or distributors established in Burkina Faso. Foreign manufacturers must appoint a local representative to apply for certification on their behalf.
Application Method
- In-country testing
- No
- Paperwork only
- Yes
Local testing is not typically required for obtaining Type Approval certification in Burkina Faso. The certification process is conducted through document review and evaluation.
ARCEP accepts conformity assessment results issued under the European Union (EU) Radio Equipment Directive (RED) framework as part of the certification process.
Devices submitted for certification must comply with the applicable ETSI EN standards. Products that meet these requirements are typically affixed with the CE Mark, which may also be verified by the Authority during the certification process.
Applicants must provide a copy of the Certificate of Conformity (CoC) issued under the EU framework, together with the corresponding test report from the testing laboratory.
These documents, along with all other required supporting documents, must be submitted to file the application. The application is submitted in person at the ARCEP office.
Once all required documents have been submitted, the Authority will review and evaluate the application. ARCEP will notify the applicant of the evaluation result.
If the application successfully passes the evaluation process, the Authority will issue the Type Approval certificate. However, if the application does not meet the requirements, the applicant must resubmit the application with the correct and complete documentation.
Sample Requirements
Local testing is not mandatory. However, ARCEP still requires applicants to submit product samples for technical inspection as part of the Type Approval application process. Each sample must be clearly identified and include the following information:
- Brand, model, type, and place of manufacture
- Codes for various modules and system cards
Document Requirements
The following is a list of required documents for applying for certification:
- Letter of Request
- Application Form
- Letter of Authorization
- Proof of Payment
- Manufacturer’s Declaration of Conformity
- Copy of the certificate of conformity
- Test report
- Device description
- Photos of the device
- Design drawings
- List of components, subassemblies, and circuits, along with their descriptions
- User manual
Submission process
- Submission
- Offline
Currently, ARCEP does not provide an official online platform for Type Approval certification applications. All applications must be submitted in person. Completed application documents must be submitted to the headquarters of ARCEP Burkina Faso in Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso: Ouaga 2000, 01 BP 6437 Ouagadougou 01, Tel: +226 25 37 53 60.
Lead Time of Certification
- Lead time
- 2 months
The applicable regulations specify that a device approval certificate must be issued within two months of the date the application is received. The regulatory authority will notify the applicant of its decision.
Validity Period
- Validity
- 5 years
Approval is granted for a period of five years and may be renewed. Renewal applications must be submitted no later than two months before the expiration date of the current approval certificate.
Approval may be renewed upon request by the manufacturer or its representative, provided that a declaration is submitted confirming that production of the device has not been discontinued and that the device has not undergone any modifications compared to the previously approved version.
The documents required for approval renewal are as follows:
- Application Form
- Copy of the Certificate
- Declaration of Conformity
- Copy of the Letter of Authorization
- Proof of Payment
An approval certificate issued for previously certified equipment becomes invalid if the technical specifications, model name, and/or brand name are changed. In such cases, a new approval application must be submitted.
Label Requirements for Burkina Faso Type Approval
- Product label
- Required
- Approval mark
- Required
Current regulations require that every approved device be affixed with a sticker bearing the homologation number and year before it is placed on the market. The label must be tamper-resistant and clearly visible. However, these requirements have not yet been enforced.
Alternative Country Names
Republic of Upper Volta, République de Haute-Volta, République Voltaïque, Voltaic Republic, Volta Republic, بوركينا فاسو, 布吉納法索, ブルキナファソ, 부르키나파소, Буркина Фасо, Burakina Faso, Buircíne Fasó, Burcina Faso, Burkina Fasas, Burquina Faso, Burkina Fasso (Alto Volta)
Rules by Technology
Allowed, approval required
- Wi-Fi 2.4 GHz
- Wi-Fi 5 GHz
- Wi-Fi 6E (6 GHz)
- Wi-Fi 7
- Bluetooth Classic
- Bluetooth Low Energy
- NFC
- RFID
- UWB
- Zigbee
- Thread
- Z-Wave
- DECT
- 2G/3G
- 4G LTE
- 5G NR
- NB-IoT
- LTE-M
- LoRa / LoRaWAN
- Sigfox
- Automotive radar (77 GHz)
- Short-range radar (24 / 60 GHz)
- GNSS (GPS)
- Satellite communication
- Wireless charging (Qi)
- PMR / Walkie-talkie
- Amateur radio
- Passive Optical Network (PON)
- Wavelength Division Multiplexing (WDM)
- Coaxial Cable
- ISDN
- Ethernet
- VoIP
- IPv6
- Power Line Carrier
- Microwave Link
- Free Space Optics
- Digital Audio Broadcasting (DAB)
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