Going Home to Burkina Faso-Our Eldorado
“Burkina Faso, situated in West Africa, is renowned for its rich cultural heritage, diverse ethnic groups, and vibrant arts scene. Despite facing challenges, the country has demonstrated resilience and a commitment to progress, making it an ideal setting for discussions on untapped potential and growth opportunities. The African Diaspora Development Institute (ADDI) successfully took over 200 African Diaspora to Burkina Faso in April-May 2024. This trip was a combination of cultural excellence and an introduction to investment opportunities. It was also the culmination of an over 400-year journey back home for the ancestors of the enslaved. As a result of this unique experience, President Ibrahim TRAORE, through ADDI extended an invitation to all African Diaspora to come back home and finish the unfinished business started by Marcus Garvey. Over 1000 children of Africa answered this call!!
WE ARE GOING HOME IN OCTOBER 2025!!
2025 DATES ARE OCTOBER 26TH-NOVEMBER 8TH 2025
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) about Permanent Residency in Burkina Faso for ADDI Members
- All ADDI members who had applied for citizenship and have submitted their background checks will be granted Permanent Residency.
- The regulation that states that you need to have resided in Burkina Faso for five years has been waived for ADDI members who had already applied for Citizenship and are already on the list.
- No. You can enter and re-enter Burkina Faso as often as you wish to, with permanent residency and you do not have to be resident there for any specific amount of time.
- Yes. The Government of Burkina Faso will still have a ceremony to grant permanent residency whilst the team is in Burkina Faso between October 26th and November 8th, 2025.
- Once issued there will be no need to renew permanent residency.
- The Government of Burkina Faso is still working on these implementation details.
- The Inter-Ministerial committee appointed by President Traore to work with ADDI on this initiative are working on this issue.
- Yes, they can.
- The usual route is ten years however ADDI members will get special dispensation depending on how much they put into Burkina Faso including investing in the country. This period will be significantly shortened.
- Yes, you will be able to invest. You would have to work with the Ministry of Trade to make this happen.
- Yes, you will be able to buy property.
- Yes, you can. You would have to go through the laid down process that other citizens have to be follow.
This is not required for this citizenship opportunity.
If you received the email about the zoom meeting on July 19th and you are receiving these updates on the Burkina Faso Trip this means that your name is on the list that has been submitted to the Government of Burkina Faso.
The exact date is not yet determined as it depends on President Ibrahim Traore’s schedule. It will take place within the October 26th-November 8th window. Presidential schedules change by the minute.
When you receive your citizenship, you will be able to apply for a passport for your minor child when you apply for your own passport. This process will be guided by the laws of Burkina Faso.
You will be required to be in Burkina Faso in order to have your citizenship conferred on you.
This would depend on the prevailing laws of Burkina Faso and of the country where you already hold citizenship.
No. During this trip you will have your citizenship conferred on you. The responsibility would then be up to you to apply for your passport according to the laws of Burkina Faso.
The Burkina Faso Embassy in DC will handle the E-visa process for all participants irrespective of which country you are applying from. We will be organizing a specific zoom session where Embassy staff will explain the process. Please do not start applying for visas yet.
Please email them to burkinafaso@ouraddi.org
Anyone can travel to Burkina Faso on this trip. Only the people getting citizenship are required to submit their background checks.
Individuals are responsible for their own travel and accommodation. ADDI will recommend 4 travel agencies but you are free to use any travel agents you wish. A list of hotels and Airbnbs will also be provided.
After conferring with the recommended travel agents, an estimated cost of the trip will be provided. This should happen within the next week.
You will be flying into Ouagadougou, the capital city of Burkina Faso
This would be advisable as we do not know when, within the two weeks, the President will be able to conduct the citizenship ceremony.
If you wish to arrive in Burkina Faso ahead of October 26th you are free to do so.
The following activities are currently being planned:
Citizenship Ceremony
Pan-African Conversations in the mornings of the first week
Trade Fair in the afternoons of the first week
Service Day (s) during the second week, which would include a skills training component.
Handing over of containers of clothes, books, medical equipment and supplies etc.
Yes, this will be done.
Bring a laptop to donate to the library
Bring simple medical supplies (stethoscopes, blood pressure cuffs, glucose monitors etc.)
Donate clothes for displaced people
Offer skills training in needed areas
We will have a specific zoom session which will talk about how to make these donations. The most likely means will be either taking the items to Burkina Faso yourself or shipping them to ADDI to include in the containers we will be sending to Burkina Faso.
After the zoom session to discuss donations have happened, the list of items needed will be provided.
For donations outside of the USA, you can send a monetary amount to ADDI clearly specifying in the comments section what your donation is for. We will provide the means of making this donation.
Yes, this can be done. Please reach out to us at burkinafaso@ouraddi.org if you require such a letter.
Attend the dedicated skills training zoom session.
The Embassy will provide a list of skills needed in Burkina Faso. Participants can then see where they fit in.
We are in discussions with the Government of Burkina Faso through the Embassy in DC about this.
Updates will be sent via email
A group messaging platform (WhatsApp, Signal or Telegram) will be set up closer to departure
The ADDI Burkina Faso website will be regularly updated with information.
ADDI are in discussions with the government of Burkina Faso in terms of the provision of buses.
Yes, this will be done.
There will be a zoom meeting that will cover all health-related and other requirements.
The recording of this meeting will be sent out to all on our Burkina Faso 2025 participants mailing list. Subsequent zoom meetings will be held to cover various aspects of this trip.
Everyone going on this trip must be a fully paid-up member of ADDI. If your dues have not been paid, you will not make it onto the final verified list of participants.
If you have them, please take them along with you. A decision will be made as to whether ADDI T-Shirts and caps will be made for this trip.