SHOPPING IN BURKINA FASO / BURKINA FASO SHOPPING GUIDE

Burkina Faso Info — Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:16 am

Author: Burkina Faso Info

Posted: Mon Feb 26, 2007 8:16 am

SHOPPING IN BURKINA FASO

The capital, Ouagadougou, is a great place for shopping of crafts and souvenirs; however, in late May, the Grand Marché was devastated by fire and is now closed indefinitely. Talks are underway to move the market temporarily to an area between the Pissy and Ouaga 2000 neighbourhoods. In the meanwhile, the city council searches for funds with donor countries for the reconstruction of the Grand Marché. Thus, for souvenirs, one should try several other places.

In the southeast of the city, in addition the SIAO-compounds, one finds the ´Village Artisinale´. In this centre, one can by almost anything from bronze statues to hand woven shawls, and from balofons (xylophones produced with calabashes) and djembes to leather chessboards. All products are manufactured in the village and the prices are cheap; with some artisans, haggling is even impossible as they begin by offering their only and lowest price.

The city accommodates two centres where disabled people produce goods to earn an income. The first is located besides the cathedral were mostly disabled women produce religious inspired artefacts in addition to embroidered sheets and napkins. The second centre is located in Cissin, where mostly disabled men produce a variety of colourful ceramics. Among its customers, one finds the Hotel Independence and the Hotel Silmandé. It is found by taking the Boulevard Circulaire in the direction of Gounghin at the big roundabout in Patte d´Oie. The to the left after 200 metres at the sign: ´Poceram, Centre de Formation Artisinale pour les handicaps physiques´.

A good number of crafts can be found in the ´Vitrine du Bronze´ between the French cultural centre and the place des cineastes. It is made of about 20 little shops where, despite its name, a lot of wooden statues and other crafts can be found as well.

Finally one can try, or is forced to try, to look at the souvenir shops opposite the Hotel Independenca. But prices are somewhat higher and you should bring all your haggling skills.

Other good markets exist in Bobo Dioulasso, Dori, Gorom-Gorom and Oahigouya.

Shopping hours

Mon-Sat 0800-1200 and 1500-1800. Some shops may be open Sunday and there are daily markets in the main towns.

Currency

CFA (Communauté Financiaire Africaine) Franc (CFAfr) = 100 centimes. Notes are in denominations of CFAfr10,000, 5000, 2500, 1000 and 500. Coins are in denominations of CFAfr250, 100, 50, 25, 10, 5 and 1. Burkina Faso is part of the French Monetary Area. Only currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique de l’Ouest (Bank of West African States) is valid; currency issued by the Banque des Etats de l’Afrique Centrale (Bank of Central African States) is not. The CFA Franc is tied to the Euro.

Currency exchange

Can be exchanged in banks and major hotels.

Credit & debit cards

Diners Club and MasterCard have limited acceptance. Check with your credit or debit card company for details of merchant acceptability and other services which may be available. No ATM 's available.

Travelers cheques

To avoid additional exchange rate charges, travelers are advised to take travelers cheques in Euros or US Dollars. Banks often require proof of purchase, so all receipts should be kept as a precautionary measure. It is advised to take at least some Euros in cash.

Currency restrictions

No restrictions on import of local or foreign currency, provided declared on arrival. The export of local and foreign currency is allowed up to the amount imported and declared for non-residents.

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SHOPPING IN BURKINA FASO / BURKINA FASO SHOPPING GUIDE