Ouagadougou: The Burkinabe government has announced a ban on the use of checks for financial transactions within public administration, effective October 1, 2025. Bruno Raymond Bamouni, Director General of the Treasury and Public Accounting, emphasized that this measure aims to prevent the dissipation of public resources, ensure immediate cash availability, and promote digital payment methods.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the decision is a response to the significant issue of unpaid checks that have burdened the state's finances. Bamouni highlighted that nearly 34 billion francs in unpaid checks currently exist, which has resulted in a substantial shortfall for the State's treasury. The government intends to eradicate this form of delinquency and encourage the use of more secure and reliable digital payment methods.
The circular banning checks applies to all financial operations involving state collections, including taxes and other payments owed to the Public Treasury. Bamouni clarified that the ban specifically targets checks issued to fulfill obligations to the state, not all checks within Burkina Faso. The misuse of checks as a means of delinquency has led to this decisive action to protect the country's financial stability.
The ban is not intended to eliminate the use of Treasury checks, which remain a credible payment tool. Instead, it focuses on checks issued by other banks to pay taxes and state obligations. Bamouni urged individuals and businesses to honor their financial commitments to the state to avoid further measures.
Bamouni also addressed misconceptions circulating on social media, explaining that the ban is not a blanket prohibition on checks within the country but a targeted measure to address the misuse of checks in state transactions. The state aims to recover the lost revenue and ensure that public funds are used for national development.
The decision comes amidst broader discussions among African Public Treasuries, where countries shared experiences and solutions to similar issues. Burkina Faso's approach reflects a commitment to safeguarding state resources and promoting financial integrity.