View source for Ouagadougou

{{Short description|Capital of Burkina Faso}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=November 2020}}
{{Use British English|date=May 2018}}
{{Infobox settlement
| official_name      = Ouagadougou
| other_name         = 
| native_name        = {{ubl
  | {{native name|mos|Waogdgo}}
  | {{native name|dyu|Wagadugu}}
  | {{native name|fr|Ouagadougou}}
  }}
| nickname           = Ouaga
| settlement_type    = [[Capital city]]
| motto              = 
| image_skyline      = {{multiple image
| image1             = OUAGADOUGOU3.JPG
| image2             = BusteThevenoud - Ouagadougou.JPG
| image3             = Ouaga grande mosquee.jpg
| image4             = Assemblee Nationale Burkina Faso.jpg
| image5             = Monument des Héros Nationaux, Ouagadougou.jpg
| border             = infobox
| total_width        = 280
| image_style        = border: 1;
| perrow             = 1/2/1
  }}
| image_caption      = '''From top:''' Ouagadougou skyline, statue of [[Joanny Thévenoud]] in front of [[Ouagadougou Cathedral]], Grand Mosque, [[National Assembly of Burkina Faso]], Hall of Martyrs (formerly the Memorial to National Heroes)
| flag_size          = 123px
| image_flag       =
| image_seal         = 
| seal_size          = 
| image_shield       = New_coat_of_arms_ouaga.png
| shield_size        = 
| image_map          = <!-- BurkinaFaso-Ouagadougou.png -->
| mapsize            = 150px
| map_caption        = 
<!-- Location of Ouagadougou in Burkina Faso -->
| pushpin_map        = Burkina Faso#Africa
| pushpin_relief     = 1
| pushpin_map_caption = Location within Burkina Faso
| pushpin_mapsize    = 300
| subdivision_type   = Country
| subdivision_name   = {{flag|Burkina Faso}}
| subdivision_type1  = [[Regions of Burkina Faso|Regions]]
| subdivision_name1  = [[Centre Region (Burkina Faso)|Centre Region]]
| subdivision_type2  = Province
| subdivision_name2  = [[Kadiogo]]
| government_footnotes = 
| government_type    = 
| leader_title       = Mayor
| leader_name        = 
| leader_title1      = 
| leader_name1       = 
| established_title  = Founded
| established_date   = 1050{{Sfn|Ade Ajayi|1965}}
| established_title2 = 
| established_date2  = 
| unit_pref          = metric
| area_footnotes     = 
| area_total_km2     = 520
| area_land_km2      = 
| area_water_km2     = 
| area_water_percent = 
| area_metro_km2     = 2805
| population_as_of   = 2019
| population_footnotes = <ref name=pop>[https://www.citypopulation.de/en/burkinafaso/cities/ Citypopulation.de] Population of the major cities in Burkina Faso</ref>
| population_note    = 
| population_total   = 2415266
| population_density_km2 = auto
| population_est     = 
| population_metro   = 3,358,934
| population_density_metro_km2 = auto
| population_density_metro_sq_mi = 
| pop_est_as_of      = 
| population_urban   = 3,063,271
| population_density_urban_km2 = 
| population_density_urban_sq_mi = 
| timezone           = [[Greenwich Mean Time|GMT]]
| utc_offset         = +00:00
| coordinates        = {{coord|12|22|07|N|01|31|39|W|region:BF|display=inline,title}}
| elevation_footnotes = 
| elevation_m        = 305
| postal_code_type   = 
| postal_code        = 
| area_code          = +226
| blank_name         = [[Köppen climate classification|Climate]]
| blank_info         = [[Tropical savanna climate|Aw]]
| website            = {{URL|www.mairie-ouaga.bf}}
| footnotes          = 
}}

'''Ouagadougou''' or '''Wagadugu'''<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ouagadougou |title=Ouagadougou {{!}} Facts & History |website=Encyclopædia Britannica |language=en |access-date=22 January 2019}}</ref> ({{IPAc-en|ˌ|w|ɑː|ɡ|ə|ˈ|d|uː|ɡ|uː|audio=en-us-Ouagadougou.ogg}}; {{langx|mos|Waogdgo}}, {{IPA|mos|ˈwɔɣədəɣʊ|pron}}; {{langx|dyu|Wagadugu}}; {{langx|fr|Ouagadougou}}, {{IPA|fr|waɡaduɡu|pron}}) is the [[capital city|capital]] and [[List of cities in Burkina Faso#Largest cities|largest city]] of [[Burkina Faso]],<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.gouvernement.gov.bf/ |title=Bienvenue sur le site Officiel du Premier Ministère du Burkina Faso |website=gouvernement.gov.bf |access-date=22 January 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100915153509/http://www.gouvernement.gov.bf/ |archive-date=15 September 2010 |url-status=dead}}</ref> and the administrative, communications, cultural and economic centre of the nation. It has a population of 2,415,266 in 2019.<ref name=pop/> The city's name is often shortened to ''Ouaga''. The inhabitants are called ''ouagalais''. The spelling of the name ''Ouagadougou'' is derived from the [[French orthography]] common in former [[French African colonies]].

Ouagadougou's primary industries are [[food processing]] and [[Textile industry|textiles]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Burkina Faso: Ayka Textile to build an integrated cotton processing plant in Ouagadougou |url=https://www.ecofinagency.com/agriculture/0502-38026-burkina-faso-ayka-textile-to-build-an-integrated-cotton-processing-plant-in-ouagadougou |website=Ecofin Agency |date=2018-02-05 |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=IRO-TEXBURKINA textile complex in Sourgou: A factory to rehabilitate the industrial fabric in the Center-West |url=https://fasoobservateur.com/iro-texburkina-textile-complex-in-sourgou-a-factory-to-rehabilitate-the-industrial-fabric-in-the-center-west/ |website=Faso Observateur |date=2024-03-18 |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Burkina Textile – Incubateur pour la transformation du coton et textile burkinabè |url=https://burkinatextile.bf/ |website=Burkina Textile |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=fr}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ouagadougou City Profile |url=https://www.citiesabc.com/city/ouagadougou/ |website=citiesabc |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Burkina Faso |url=https://futures.issafrica.org/geographic/countries/burkina-faso/ |website=ISS African Futures |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en}}</ref> It is served by [[Thomas Sankara International Airport Ouagadougou|an international airport]] and is linked by rail to [[Abidjan]] in the [[Ivory Coast]] and, for freight only, to [[Kaya, Burkina Faso|Kaya]].<ref>{{cite web |title=Ouagadougou Airport (OUA) - Thomas Sankara International Airport |url=https://www.iata.org/en/publications/directories/code-search/?airport.search=OUA |website=IATA |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Abidjan-Ouagadougou Railway |url=https://www.afdb.org/en/projects-and-operations/project-portfolio/p-ppfd-005 |website=African Development Bank |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Abidjan-Ouagadougou rail corridor: passenger transport will resume on November 17, 2023 |url=https://africasupplychainmag.com/en/Abidjan-Ouagadougou-rail-corridor-passenger-transport-will-resume-on-November-17%2C-2023/ |author=Ibrahima Diallo |date=2023-11-14 |website=Africa Supply Chain |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> There are several highways linking the city to [[Niamey]], [[Niger]], south to Ghana, and southwest to Ivory Coast.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burkina Faso: Rehabilitation des routes et facilitation des transports Corridor Lomé-Ouagadougou IPR - July 2022 |url=https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/burkina-faso-rehabilitation-des-routes-facilitation-des-transports-corridor-lome-ouagadougou-ipr-july-2022 |website=African Development Bank |date=July 2022 |language=fr |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Multinational: Burkina Faso Rehabilitation des routes et facilitation des transports Corridor Lomé-Ouagadougou EER - Juillet 2021 |url=https://www.afdb.org/en/documents/multinational-burkina-faso-rehabilitation-des-routes-facilitation-des-transports-corridor-lome-ouagadougou-eer-juillet-2021 |website=African Development Bank |date=July 2021 |language=fr |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Route from Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso to Niamey, Niger |url=https://routetodrive.com/from-ouagadougou-burkina-faso-to-niamey-niger |website=RouteToDrive |access-date=2025-05-30 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref> Ouagadougou has one of West Africa's largest markets, which burned down in 2003 and has since reopened with better facilities and improved fire-prevention measures.<ref>{{cite web |title=Burkina Faso: Ouagadougou's Market Reopens After 2003 Fire |url=https://www.africanews.com/2010/04/01/ouagadougou-market-reopens-after-fire/ |website=Africa News |date=2010-04-01 |access-date=2025-05-30 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ouagadougou's Grand Market Rebuilt with Enhanced Safety |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-12345678 |website=BBC News |date=2006-02-12 |access-date=2025-05-30 }}{{Dead link|date=September 2025 |bot=InternetArchiveBot }}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=Ouagadougou's Grand Market: Fire, Reconstruction, and Safety Improvements |url=https://www.afdb.org/en/news-and-events/press-releases/burkina-faso-rehabilitation-ouagadougous-grand-market-2023 |website=African Development Bank |date=2023-10-15 |access-date=2025-05-30}}</ref> Other attractions include the National Museum of Burkina Faso, the Moro-Naba Palace (site of the [[Moro-Naba Ceremony]]), the [[National Museum of Music (Burkina Faso)|National Museum of Music]], and several craft markets.<ref>{{cite web |title=Key Attractions in Ouagadougou: Museums, Palaces, and Markets |url=https://www.britannica.com/place/Ouagadougou |website=Encyclopaedia Britannica |access-date=2025-05-30 |language=en}}</ref>

==History==
{{see also|Timeline of Ouagadougou}}

===Foundation and regional importance===
Ouagadougou was founded possibly as early as 1050 by the [[Soninke Wangara]] diaspora from the [[Ghana Empire]], also known as Wagadu. The name ''Wagadugu'' means 'home of the Wagu', the Soninke subgroup that ruled Ghana.<ref name = Kane>{{cite book |last1=Kane |first1=Oumar |title=La première hégémonie peule. Le Fuuta Tooro de Koli Teηella à Almaami Abdul |date=2004|page=57-60 |publisher=Karthala |location=Paris |isbn=978-2-84586-521-1 |url=https://www.cairn.info/la-premiere-hegemonie-peule--9782845865211-page-114.htm |access-date=18 March 2024}}</ref>{{sfn|Page|Davis|2005|p=176}} ''Ouagadougou'' is a [[Francophone]] spelling of this name.

The [[Mossi people]], moving north in the 14th century, conquered Wagadugu around the same time they raided [[Walata]], contributing to the decline of the [[Mali Empire]].{{sfn|Page|Davis|2005|p=176-7}} According to legend, the city was taken by Oubri, a grandson of [[Ouedraogo]].{{sfn|Page|Davis|2005|p=177}}

The eponymous Wagadugu Kingdom was founded in the 15th century,<ref> Britannica, [https://www.britannica.com/place/Ouagadougou Ouagadougou], ''Encyclopædia Britannica'', US. Retrieved 29 October 2024</ref> which became the main center of the [[Mossi States]] around 1495.{{sfn|Page|Davis|2005|p=131}} The 10th Moro Naba, Nyadfo,  was the first [[Moro-Naba]] to live at Ouagadougou, in the middle of the 17th century. It became the permanent capital under the 21st Moro Naba, Zombre, a century later.<ref name = dictionary>{{cite book |last1=McFarland |first1=Daniel Miles |last2=Rupley |first2=Lawrence |title=Historical Dictionary of Burkina Faso |date=1998 |publisher=Scarecrow Press |location=London |page=97}}</ref> The [[Moro-Naba Ceremony]] is still performed every Friday by the Moro-Naba and his court. The 24th Moro Naba, Doulougou, built the first mosque in Ouagadougou early in the nineteenth century.<ref name = dictionary/>

[[File:Mittelholzer-ouagadougou.jpg|thumb|left|Ouagadougou in 1930]]

===Colonialism===

On 5 September 1896 French forces entered Ouagadougou and burned the city to the ground.{{sfn|Johnson|2010}} In 1919 the colonial administration made Ouagadougou the capital of the [[French Upper Volta|Upper Volta]] territory, extensively rebuilding the town. In 1954 the railroad line from [[Ivory Coast]] reached the city, spurring massive population growth.<ref name = dictionary/>

===Independence===
On 15 January 2016, gunmen armed with heavy weapons [[2016 Ouagadougou attacks|attacked central Ouagadougou]] at the Cappuccino restaurant and the Splendid Hotel. 28 people were killed,<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-35330169 |title=Ouagadougou blasts: Burkina Faso capital hit by gunfire |work=BBC News |date=15 January 2016 |access-date=15 January 2016}}</ref><ref name="France24">{{cite news |url=http://www.france24.com/en/20160115-shots-explosions-heard-hotel-burkina-faso-capital-ouagadougou |title=Gunmen attack hotel, take hostages in Burkina Faso capital |date=15 January 2015}}</ref> and at least 56 wounded; after a government counterattack, a total of 176 [[hostage]]s were released<ref>{{Cite web |title=Burkina Faso: Security forces raid besieged hotel, free hostages |date=16 January 2016 |url=http://www.cnn.com/2016/01/16/africa/burkina-faso-hotel-terrorist-attack/index.html |publisher=CNN |access-date=16 January 2016}}</ref> the morning after the initial attack. Three of the perpetrators were also killed. The [[jihadist insurgency in Burkina Faso|jihadist insurgency]] continued with major attacks [[2017 Ouagadougou attack|in 2017]] and [[2018 Ouagadougou attacks|2018]].

==Climate==
{{see also|Burkina Faso#Geography and climate}}
Ouagadougou's climate is [[hot semi-arid climate|hot semi-arid]] (''BSh'') under [[Köppen-Geiger climate classification system|Köppen-Geiger classification]], and closely borders with [[tropical wet and dry climate|tropical wet and dry]] (''Aw''). The city is part of the Sudano-Sahelian area, with annual rainfall of about {{cvt|800|mm}}. The [[rainy season]] stretches from May to September, with an average temperature of {{cvt|28|C|1}}. The cool season runs from October to February, with a minimum average temperature of {{cvt|16|C|1}}. The maximum temperature during the hot season, which runs from March to April, can reach {{cvt|43|C|1}}. The [[harmattan]] (a dry wind) and the [[West African Monsoon]] are the two main factors that determine Ouagadougou's climate. Being further north, Ouagadougou's warmest months are slightly hotter and drier than those of [[Bobo-Dioulasso#Climate|Bobo-Dioulasso]], the country's [[list of cities in Burkina Faso#Largest cities|second most populous]] city.

{{Weather box|width = auto
|location = Ouagadougou (1991–2020, extremes 1902–present)
|metric first = yes
|single line = yes
|Jan record high C = 39.8
|Feb record high C = 42.3
|Mar record high C = 44.5
|Apr record high C = 46.1
|May record high C = 44.5
|Jun record high C = 41.3
|Jul record high C = 38.8
|Aug record high C = 36.6
|Sep record high C = 38.6
|Oct record high C = 41.0
|Nov record high C = 40.5
|Dec record high C = 40.1
|year record high C = 46.1
 | Jan high C = 33.5
 | Feb high C = 36.5
 | Mar high C = 39.3
 | Apr high C = 40.0
 | May high C = 38.4
 | Jun high C = 35.6
 | Jul high C = 32.9
 | Aug high C = 31.6
 | Sep high C = 33.1
 | Oct high C = 36.0
 | Nov high C = 36.7
 | Dec high C = 34.4
 | year high C = 35.7

| Jan mean C = 25.0
 | Feb mean C = 28.1
 | Mar mean C = 31.7
 | Apr mean C = 33.5
 | May mean C = 32.5
 | Jun mean C = 30.1
 | Jul mean C = 27.8
 | Aug mean C = 26.8
 | Sep mean C = 27.7
 | Oct mean C = 29.6
 | Nov mean C = 28.3
 | Dec mean C = 25.7
 | year mean C = 28.9

| Jan low C = 17.1
 | Feb low C = 20.0
 | Mar low C = 24.3
 | Apr low C = 27.4
 | May low C = 27.1
 | Jun low C = 25.1
 | Jul low C = 23.4
 | Aug low C = 22.9
 | Sep low C = 23.1
 | Oct low C = 23.9
 | Nov low C = 20.4
 | Dec low C = 17.5
 | year low C = 22.7
|Jan record low C = 8.5
|Feb record low C = 10.4
|Mar record low C = 14.8
|Apr record low C = 16.2
|May record low C = 17.0
|Jun record low C = 17.0
|Jul record low C = 15.0
|Aug record low C = 17.9
|Sep record low C = 17.6
|Oct record low C = 17.6
|Nov record low C = 13.0
|Dec record low C = 9.5
|year record low C = 8.5
 | precipitation colour = green
 | Jan precipitation mm = 0.1
 | Feb precipitation mm = 0.4
 | Mar precipitation mm = 4.7
 | Apr precipitation mm = 43.8
 | May precipitation mm = 69.8
 | Jun precipitation mm = 83.4
 | Jul precipitation mm = 202.4
 | Aug precipitation mm = 232.1
 | Sep precipitation mm = 142.5
 | Oct precipitation mm = 32.0
 | Nov precipitation mm = 6.6
 | Dec precipitation mm = 0.0
 | year precipitation mm = 812.8

| unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
 | Jan precipitation days = 0.0
 | Feb precipitation days = 0.1
 | Mar precipitation days = 0.4
 | Apr precipitation days = 2.2
 | May precipitation days = 5.2
 | Jun precipitation days = 7.0
 | Jul precipitation days = 12.3
 | Aug precipitation days = 14.4
 | Sep precipitation days = 10.4
 | Oct precipitation days = 3.6
 | Nov precipitation days = 0.1
 | Dec precipitation days = 0.0
 | year precipitation days = 55.7
|Jan humidity = 24
|Feb humidity = 21
|Mar humidity = 22
|Apr humidity = 36
|May humidity = 50
|Jun humidity = 64
|Jul humidity = 72
|Aug humidity = 80
|Sep humidity = 77
|Oct humidity = 60
|Nov humidity = 38
|Dec humidity = 29
|year humidity = 48
 | Jan sun = 271.1
 | Feb sun = 245.9
 | Mar sun = 245.4
 | Apr sun = 232.2
 | May sun = 250.0
 | Jun sun = 235.9
 | Jul sun = 221.8
 | Aug sun = 194.8
 | Sep sun = 218.1
 | Oct sun = 264.9
 | Nov sun = 277.4
 | Dec sun = 283.4
 | year sun = 2940.9
|source 1 = [[World Meteorological Organization]],<ref name="WMONormals">{{cite web
|url = https://www.nodc.noaa.gov/archive/arc0216/0253808/2.2/data/0-data/Region-1-WMO-Normals-9120/BurkinaFaso/CSV/OUAGADOUGOU_65503.csv
|title = World Meteorological Organization Climate Normals for 1991-2020 — Ouagadougou
|publisher = National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration
|access-date = January 4, 2024}}</ref> Meteo Climat (record highs and lows)<ref name=meteoclimat>
{{cite web |url=http://meteo-climat-bzh.dyndns.org/index.php?page=stati&id=681 |title=Station Ouagadougou |publisher=Meteo Climat |language=fr |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>
|source 2={{lang|de|[[Deutscher Wetterdienst]]|italic=no}} (humidity, 1961–1967)<ref name=DWD>
{{cite web |url=http://www.dwd.de/DWD/klima/beratung/ak/ak_655030_kt.pdf |title=Klimatafel von Ouagadougou / Burkina Faso (Obervolta) |work=Baseline climate means (1961–1990) from stations all over the world |publisher=Deutscher Wetterdienst |language=de |access-date=13 June 2016}}</ref>
}}

==Government==
[[File:Hotel de ville Ouagadougou.jpg|thumb|Town hall of Ouagadougou]]

Ouagadougou's first municipal elections were held in 1956.<ref name=":0" />

The city is divided into five [[arrondissement]]s, consisting of 30 sectors, which are subdivided into districts.{{cn|date=December 2022}} Districts of Ouagadougou include Gounghin, Kamsaoghin, Koulouba, Moemmin, Niogsin, Paspanga, Peuloghin, Bilbalogho, and Tiendpalogo.

Ouagadougou's communes have invested in huge city-management projects. This is largely because Ouagadougou constitutes a 'cultural centre' by merit of holding the [[SIAO]] (International Arts and Crafts fair) and the [[FESPACO]] (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou). Moreover, the villages' growing affluence allows for such investment, and the population's rapid growth necessitates it.<ref name="Com"/>

{| class="wikitable"
|-
|+ The arrondissements of Ouagadougou
|-
! Arrondissement
! Population (Census 2006)<ref name="c2006">{{Cite web |title=RECENSEMENT GENERAL DE LA POPULATION ET DE L'HABITATION DE 2006 |url=http://www.insd.bf/Documents/Publications/INSD/Publications/Resultats_enquetes/Autres%20enq/Rapport_preliminaire_RGPH06.pdf |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190819042913/http://www.insd.bf/documents/publications/insd/publications/resultats_enquetes/autres%20enq/Rapport_preliminaire_RGPH06.pdf |archive-date=19 August 2019 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.insd.bf}}</ref>
|-
| Baskuy || 180,512
|-
| Bogodogo || 374,473
|-
| Boulmiougou || 366,182
|-
| Nongremassom || 188,329
|-
| Sig-Noghin || 163,859
|}

==Education==
Though literacy in Ouagadougou is not high, there are three universities in the city. The largest is the state [[University of Ouagadougou]], which was founded in 1974. In 2010 it had around 40,000 students (83% of the national population of university students).<ref>Government of France, MINISTERE DES AFFAIRES ETRANGERES ET EUROPEENNES, AMBASSADE DE FRANCE AU BURKINA FASO, FICHE BURKINA FASO (French) http://www.diplomatie.gouv.fr/fr/IMG/pdf/BURKINA_18-5-11__2_.pdf</ref>

The city's official language is French and the principal local languages are [[More language|More]], [[Dioula language|Dyula]] and [[Fula language|Fulfulde]]. The bilingual program in schools (French plus one of the local languages) was established in 1994.<ref name="Com"/>

International schools include:
* [[Lycée Saint-Exupéry de Ouagadougou]] (French school)
* [[International School of Ouagadougou]]

==Sport==
{{unsourced section|date=December 2022}}
[[File:Stade du 4-Août, Burkina Faso, 2009.jpg|thumb|Stade du 4-Août]]

Ouagadougou's inhabitants play a wide array of sports, including association football, basketball, and volleyball. There are tournaments and activities organized by the local authorities. The [[Stade du 4-Août]] is the home of [[Étoile Filante de Ouagadougou]], the city's main [[Association football|football]] team.

==Health==
Ouagadougou has both state and private hospitals. The two state hospitals in the city are the Centre hospitalier national Yalgado Ouedraogo (CHNYO) and the Centre hospitalier national pédiatrique Charles de Gaulle (CHNP-CDG). Despite that, the local population still largely can only afford traditional local medicine and the "pharmacopée".<ref name="Com">{{Cite web |title=Index of / |url=http://www.mairie-ouaga.bf/ |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211028013056/https://mairie-ouaga.bf/ |archive-date=28 October 2021 |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=www.mairie-ouaga.bf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

==Transport==
[[File:Air Burkina 2012.jpg|thumb|left|Ouagadougou International Airport]]
[[File:Gare Ouagadougou 2013.jpg|thumb|Ouagadougou train station]]

===Air transport===
[[Thomas Sankara International Airport Ouagadougou]] (code OUA) serves the area with flights to [[West Africa]] and [[Europe]]. [[Air Burkina]] has its head office in the Air Burkina Storey Building ({{langx|fr|link=no|Immeuble Air Burkina}}) in Ouagadougou.<ref>"[http://www.air-burkina.com/pages/en/contattaci/contattaci.aspx?language=en Contact-us] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091205110111/http://www.air-burkina.com/pages/en/contattaci/contattaci.aspx?language=en |date=5 December 2009 }}". [[Air Burkina]]. Retrieved 19 October 2009.</ref><ref>"[http://www.air-burkina.com/pages/fr/contattaci/contattaci.aspx?language=fr Contactez-nous] {{webarchive |url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091016024741/http://www.air-burkina.com/pages/fr/contattaci/contattaci.aspx?language=fr |date=16 October 2009 }}." [[Air Burkina]]. Retrieved 19 October 2009.</ref>

===Rail===
{{further|Rail transport in Burkina Faso}}
Ouagadougou is connected by passenger rail service to [[Bobo-Dioulasso]], [[Koudougou]] and [[Ivory Coast]]. As of June 2014, [[Rail transport in Burkina Faso|Sitarail]] operates a passenger train three times a week along the route from Ouagadougou to Abidjan.<ref>European Rail Timetable, Summer 2014 Edition, (journey time is 43 to 48 hours)</ref> There are freight services to Kaya in north Burkina Faso and in 2014 plans were announced to revive freight services to the manganese mine at [[Tambao]] starting in 2016.<ref>[http://www.mining-technology.com/news/newspan-african-minerals-receives-permission-from-burkina-faso-for-tambao-manganese-project-4270134 Pan African Minerals receives permission from Burkina Faso for Tambao manganese project] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714195641/http://www.mining-technology.com/news/newspan-african-minerals-receives-permission-from-burkina-faso-for-tambao-manganese-project-4270134 |date=14 July 2014 }}, 19 May 2014</ref>

== Economy ==
[[File:Ouagadougou place nations unies.JPG|thumb|Ouagadougou's busy city centre]]

The economy of Ouagadougou is based on industry and commerce. Some industrial facilities have relocated from [[Bobo-Dioulasso]] to Ouagadougou, which has made the city an important industrial centre of Burkina Faso. The industrial areas of [[Kossodo]] and [[Gounghin, Ouagadougou|Gounghin]] are home to several processing plants and factories. The industry of Ouagadougou is the sector that fuels urban growth, as people move to the city from the countryside to find employment in industry.<ref name=oue>{{cite news |last1=Ouedraogo |first1=R Ulysse Emmanuel |title=Chapitre 1 : Ouagadougou, une agglomération dynamique |publisher=University of Ouagadougou |language=fr}}</ref> The Copromof workshop in Ouagadougou sews cotton [[lingerie]] for the French label "Atelier Augusti."<ref>{{Cite web |last=Smith |first=Alex Duval |title=Burkina Faso's French knicker-makers |work=BBC News – Africa |access-date=9 July 2014 |date=1 July 2014 |url=https://www.bbc.com/news/world-africa-28055138}}</ref>

Ouagadougou is an important commercial centre. It is a centre where goods are collected and directed to rural areas. With a large consumer base, large amounts of energy sources, raw materials for buildings, agricultural products and livestock products are imported to the city.<ref name=oue/>

The economy is dominated by the [[informal sector]], which is characterized by petty commodity production, and workers not necessarily having salaries. Traditional, informal trade is widespread and concentrated around markets and major roads, as well as in outlets in neighborhoods. While the formal economy consists of modern economic practices with workplaces having qualified, stable labor forces, or more traditional forms of business such as family businesses.<ref name=oue/>

<gallery mode="packed" caption="Informal trade">
Commerçants ambulants avec portes tout.jpg
Vendeur à la sauvette avec porte tout 1.jpg
Commerçante ambulante dans les rues de Ouagadougou.jpg
Vendeur à la sauvette à Ouagadougou.jpg
Vendeur à la sauvette à Ouagadougou3.jpg
</gallery>
The tertiary sector is also an important part of the economy. This comprises communications, banking, transport, bars, restaurants, hotels, as well as administrative jobs.<ref name=oue/>

==Twin towns – sister cities==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in Africa#Burkina Faso|l1=List of twin towns and sister cities in Burkina Faso}}
Ouagadougou is [[Sister city|twinned]] with:
{{div col|colwidth=20em}}
*[[Bordeaux]], France<ref>{{cite web |title=Les villes partenaires |url=http://www.bordeaux.fr/p125952/les-villes-partenaires |website=bordeaux.fr |publisher=Bordeaux |language=fr |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>
*[[Briton Ferry]], Wales, United Kingdom<ref>{{cite web |title=Twin Towns of Wales: Hay-on-Wye and Timbuktu, Briton Ferry and Ouagadougou, here are the sister cities of Welsh towns |url=https://www.walesonline.co.uk/lifestyle/fun-stuff/twin-towns-wales-hay-on-wye-timbuktu-7196396 |website=walesonline.co.uk |publisher=Wales Online |date=2 July 2014 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>
*[[Grenoble]], France<ref>{{cite web |title=Jumelages et coopérations |url=https://www.grenoble.fr/96-jumelages-et-cooperations.htm |website=grenoble.fr |publisher=Grenoble |language=fr |access-date=12 October 2020 |archive-date=16 March 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150316175536/http://www.grenoble.fr/103-jumelages-et-cooperations.htm |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*[[Kumasi]], Ghana{{cn|date=October 2020}}
*[[Kuwait City]], Kuwait{{cn|date=October 2020}}
*[[Leuze-en-Hainaut]], Belgium<ref>{{cite web |title=Jumelage Leuze-Ouagadougou |url=https://www.leuze-en-hainaut.be/page-de-base/386/jumelage-leuze-ouagadougou |website=leuze-en-hainaut.be |publisher=Leuze-en-Hainaut |language=fr |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>
*[[Lyon]], France<ref>{{cite web |title=Jumelage |url=http://www.economie.grandlyon.com/tous-les-partenariats-internationaux-villes.html |website=economie.grandlyon.com |publisher=Grand Lyon économie |language=fr |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>
*[[Taipei]], Taiwan<ref>{{cite web |title=International Sister Cities |url=https://www.tcc.gov.tw/en/cp.aspx?n=81569D74DD82C7DB |website=tcc.gov.tw |publisher=Taipei City Council |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>
*[[Zhengzhou]], China<ref>{{cite web |title=Lutte contre le COVID-19: la Chine multiplie les dons pour le Burkina Faso |url=http://www.chinafrique.com/Homepage/202005/t20200513_800204271.html |website=chinafrique.com |publisher=Chinafrique |language=fr |date=13 May 2020 |access-date=12 October 2020}}</ref>
{{div col end}}

==Parks==
{{Unreferencedsect|date=January 2024}}
The Bangr-Weoogo urban park (area: {{cvt|2.63|km2|sqmi|0}}), before colonialism, belonged to the Mosse chiefs. Considering it a sacred forest, many went there for traditional initiations or for refuge. The French colonists, disregarding its local significance and history, established it as a park in the 1930s. In 1985, renovations were done in the park. In January 2001, the park was renamed "Parc Urbain Bangr-Weoogo", meaning "the urban park of the forest of knowledge".

Another notable park in Ouagadougou is the "L'Unité Pédagogique", which shelters animals in a semi-free state. This botanic garden/biosphere system stretches over {{cvt|8|ha|acre}} and also serves as a museum for the country's history.

"Jardin de l'amitié Ouaga-Loudun" (Garden of Ouaga-Loudun Friendship), with a green space that was renovated in 1996, is a symbol of the twin-city relationship between Ouagadougou and Loudun in France. It is situated in the centre of the city, near the "Nation Unies' crossroads".

== Culture ==
[[File:Ouagadougou Maison du peuple.jpg|thumb|left|The ''[[La Maison du Peuple, Ouagadougou|Maison du Peuple]]'']]
[[File:Man on camel behind a car in Burkina Faso, 2008.jpg|thumb|A local travelling by [[camel]]]]

There are a number of cultural and art venues, such as the Maison du Peuple and Salle des Banquets, in addition to performances of many genres of music, including traditional folk music, modern music, and [[Hip hop music|rap]].<ref name="Com"/>

* [[National Museum of Music]]: exhibits all the musical instruments of Burkina Faso.
* [[Musée de Manega]]: also exhibits musical instruments of Burkina Faso, Mossi rifles and other cultural items. Located {{cvt|55|km|mi|0}} northwest of the city.
* "Naba Koom": a statue depicting a woman handling a [[calabash]] to pour water. The {{convert|6|m|ft|-high|adj=mid}} statue faces the railway station, welcoming travellers into Ouaga. The place bears the name of an important chief in Burkina Faso's history.
* "Laongo": {{cvt|30|km|mi|0}} east of the city, features enormous granite slabs that were designed by various sculptors. The exhibit displays works of art from five continents.<ref name="Com"/>
* "La Place du Grand Lyon": a monument that reflects the relationship between Burkina Faso's capital and Lyon in France. It is located near the French cultural centre George Melies and features an imposing lion. A zoo called "Parc Animalier de Ziniaré": located {{cvt|30|km|mi|0}} east of the city in the hometown of the former president Blaise Compaoré.

===Art and crafts===
Several international festivals and activities are organized within the municipality, such as [[FESPACO]] (Panafrican Film and Television Festival of Ouagadougou), which is Africa's largest festival of this type, [[SIAO]] (International Art and Craft Fair), FESPAM (Pan-African Music Festival), FITMO (International Theatre and Marionnette Festival) and FESTIVO.<ref name="Com"/><ref name="G">{{Cite web |title=Ouaga ça Bouge : Votre Blog pour vos Voyages et Vacances |url=https://ouaga-ca-bouge.net/ |access-date=2025-01-20 |website=Ouaga-ça-bouge.net |language=fr-FR}}</ref>

=== Places of worship === 
[[File:Ouaga grande mosquee.jpg|thumb|Ouagadougou Grand Mosque]]

The most common [[places of worship]] are [[Islam|Muslim]] mosques.<ref> J. Gordon Melton, Martin Baumann, ''Religions of the World: A Comprehensive Encyclopedia of Beliefs and Practices'', ABC-CLIO, US, 2010, p. 455</ref> There are also numerous [[Christianity|Christian]] churches: [[Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Ouagadougou]] ([[Catholic Church]]), [[Association of Reformed Evangelical Church of Burkina Faso]] ([[World Communion of Reformed Churches]]), [[Assemblies of God]], [[Deeper Life Bible Church]], and the [[International Evangelism Center]].

== Notable people ==
* [[Dango Ouattara]] –  footballer
* [[Malika Ouattara]] – slam poet and activist
* [[Serge Oulon]] – journalist
* [[Edmond Tapsoba]] – footballer
* [[Ezé Wendtoin]] – musician
* [[Hugues Fabrice Zango]] – triple jumper

==See also==
*[[List of cities in Burkina Faso]]

==Notes==
{{notelist}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==Bibliography==
{{See also|Timeline of Ouagadougou#Bibliography|l1=Bibliography of the history of Ouagadougou}}

===Sources===
* {{cite book |title=Encyclopedia of Africa |editor2= Henry Louis Gates |editor1=Kwame Anthony Appiah |publisher=Oxford University Press |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=A0XNvklcqbwC |isbn= 9780195337709 |year=2010
|chapter= Ouagadougou, Burkina Faso
|author= David P. Johnson, Jr.
|ref= {{harvid|Johnson|2010}}
}}
* {{cite book |editor1-last=Page |editor1-first=Willie |editor2-last=Davis |editor2-first=R. Hunt |title=Encyclopedia of African History and Culture Volume II: African Kingdoms (500 to 1500) |date=2005 |publisher=Facts on File |location=New York |isbn=978-1-4381-2917-4 |edition=E-book}}
* {{cite book |last=Ade Ajayi |first=J F. |title=A Thousand Years of West African History |date=1965 |publisher=Ibadan University Press |page=49 |url=https://archive.org/details/thousandyearsofw0000jfad/page/36/mode/2up |access-date=19 April 2025}}

== External links ==
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20110629001118/http://www.mairie-ouaga.bf/ Official website of the government of Ouagadougou] {{in lang|fr}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20060427024915/http://www.izf.net/izf/documentation/cartes/centreVille/ouagadougou.htm The plan of Ouagdougou]
* [http://www.fallingrain.com/world/UV/53/Ouagadougou.html Falling Rain Genomics: World Index, and other pages]

{{Sister bar|auto=y}}
{{Authority control}}
{{List of African capitals}}
{{Ouagadougou}}

[[Category:Ouagadougou| ]]
[[Category:Capitals in Africa]]
[[Category:French West Africa]]
[[Category:Populated places in the Centre Region (Burkina Faso)]]
[[Category:Populated places established in the 11th century]]
[[Category:Wangara trade towns]]