Public Aid, Economic Growth, and Poverty in Burkina Faso

Since the 2000s, official development assistance has grown significantly in Burkina Faso. It is a major source of funding for the implementation of economic policies in the country. From structural adjustment programs to the current Strategy for Accelerated Growth and Sustainable Development, including the Strategic Frameworks for Poverty Reduction, it has made it possible to mobilize an average of approximately 790 million U.S. dollars per year (RCD). However, it must be acknowledged that many of the areas targeted by aid are not showing favorable progress. Poverty persists and is on the rise. This situation leads many Burkinabé to question the actual contribution of aid to the country's development. The objective of this article is to use econometric methods to measure the impact of official development assistance on economic growth and poverty reduction in Burkina Faso. The study concludes that aid has a negative impact on economic growth but contributes significantly to reducing poverty in Burkina Faso.