Flag of Burkina Faso
countryThe flag of Burkina Faso was adopted on August 4, 1984. Horizontal bicolour with centred star. It uses 3 colours: red, green and yellow. The official proportions are 2:3.
Hoist
Ratio 2:3
Fly
Basic Flag Information
| Flag Name | Flag of Burkina Faso |
|---|---|
| Country | Burkina Faso |
| Official Country Name | Burkina Faso |
| Capital | Ouagadougou |
| Continent | Africa |
| Region | Western Africa |
| ISO Country Code | BF / BFA |
| Internet Domain | .bf |
| Calling Code | +226 |
| Currency | West African CFA franc (XOF) |
| National Language(s) | French |
| Demonym | Burkinabe |
| Area | 272,967 km² |
| Population | 24 million (2025 est.) |
Flag Specifications
| Official Flag Name | Flag of Burkina Faso |
|---|---|
| Adopted On | August 4, 1984 |
| First Used | 1984 |
| Current Version Adopted | August 4, 1984 |
| Flag Proportion | 2:3 |
| Flag Shape | Rectangle |
| Number of Colors | 3 |
| Main Colors | Red, Green, Yellow |
| Design Type | Horizontal bicolour with centred star |
| Official Status | Official National Flag |
| Government Authority | Government of Burkina Faso |
Flag Color Information
| Color | Appearance | HEX Code | RGB | CMYK |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Red | #EF2B2D | 239, 43, 45 | 0, 82, 81, 6 | |
| Green | #009E49 | 0, 158, 73 | 100, 0, 54, 38 | |
| Yellow | #FCD116 | 252, 209, 22 | 0, 17, 91, 1 |
Flag Design and Symbols
| Red colour | Represents the revolution |
|---|---|
| Green colour | Represents hope and the country’s natural riches |
| Yellow colour | Represents the mineral wealth of the nation |
| Yellow star | The guiding light of the revolution |
Flag History
| Year / Period | Event |
|---|---|
| 1984 | The design was first used |
| 1984-08-04 | The current flag was officially adopted |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
| Present | The flag remains in official use |
Flag Dimensions and Construction
| Official Ratio | 2:3 |
|---|---|
| Width | 2 units (hoist) |
| Length | 3 units (fly) |
Burkina Faso Flag Usage
| Government Buildings | Yes |
|---|---|
| Schools | Yes |
| Civil Use | Yes |
| Official Ceremonies | Yes |
| Sports Events | Yes |
| National Holidays | Yes |
| Military | Yes |
| Naval Use | Yes |
| Embassies | Yes |
| International Events | Yes |
Other Official Flags of Burkina Faso
| Flag Type | Use | Link |
|---|---|---|
| National Flag | National representation | View flag |
| Civil Flag | Used by civilians | View flag |
| State Flag | Used by government | View flag |
| War Flag | Used during military operations | View flag |
| Naval Ensign | Used by the navy | View flag |
| Air Force Flag | Used by the air force | View flag |
| Presidential Standard | Used by the head of state | View flag |
| Royal Standard | Used by the monarch | View flag |
| Historical Flag | Previous national flag | View flag |
Quick Facts About the Flag
| Flag Age | 42 years old as of 2026 |
|---|---|
| Adoption Date | August 4, 1984 |
| Oldest Version | 1984 |
| Most Common Color | Red |
| Similar Flags | Angola |
| Unique Feature | Horizontal bicolour with centred star |
Other horizontal bicolour flags
See all
Facts about the Flag of Burkina Faso
- The flag was adopted in 1984 when Upper Volta was renamed Burkina Faso, replacing a black-white-red tricolour that referenced the three branches of the Volta river.
- The red, green and gold star places the country squarely in the Pan-African tradition established by Ghana.
- The flag of Burkina Faso was officially adopted on August 4, 1984.
- The flag in its present form is 42 years old as of 2026.
- Design type: Horizontal bicolour with centred star.
- The official proportions are 2:3. It shares that ratio with 82 national flags.
- The flag uses 3 colours: red, green and yellow.
- The red on the flag stands for the revolution.
- The green on the flag stands for hope and the country’s natural riches.
- The yellow on the flag stands for the mineral wealth of the nation.
- Yellow star: The guiding light of the revolution.
- The design belongs to the "Horizontal bicolour" family, shared with 5 other flags in this reference.
- Flags most often confused with it: Angola.
- Burkina Faso became independent on 5 August 1960 from France.
- The country was renamed from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso in 1984.
- Football is the most popular sport.
- The national anthem is "Ditanyè".
- The flag is flown everywhere on 11 December, Republic Day.
Frequently Asked Questions about the Flag of Burkina Faso
When was the flag of Burkina Faso adopted?
The flag of Burkina Faso was officially adopted on August 4, 1984.
What do the colours of the flag of Burkina Faso mean?
Red for the revolution, green for hope and the country’s natural riches and yellow for the mineral wealth of the nation.
When did Burkina Faso gain independence?
Burkina Faso became independent on 5 August 1960 from France. The country was renamed from Upper Volta to Burkina Faso in 1984.
What is the national sport of Burkina Faso?
Football is the most popular sport.
What do the symbols on the flag of Burkina Faso represent?
Yellow star — The guiding light of the revolution.
What are the proportions of the flag of Burkina Faso?
The official ratio is 2:3, which makes the flag rectangular. It shares those proportions with 82 national flags.
What is the national anthem of Burkina Faso?
The national anthem is "Ditanyè".
When is the national day of Burkina Faso?
It falls on 11 December, Republic Day, and the flag is flown across the country.
What is the capital of Burkina Faso?
The capital is Ouagadougou. The currency is the West African CFA franc (XOF) and the language spoken is French.
Which flags look similar to the flag of Burkina Faso?
The closest matches are Angola, which share both the construction and most of the colours.