Burkina Faso

Are you planning to visit Burkina Faso? Check if you need a power plug adapter or voltage converter for the power sockets (outlets) used in Burkina Faso.

The following information is for travelers living in the United States of America.I live in another country.

  • You need a power plug adapter in Burkina Faso, when living in the United States of America.
  • You also need a voltage converter.
  • Be extra careful with certain appliances because of the difference in frequency.

Below you find pictures of the applied power sockets and corresponding plugs. And we provide more information about the voltage and frequency.

Electricity in Burkina Faso

In Burkina Faso the power plug sockets are of type C and E. The standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

Power plug adapter needed in Burkina Faso?

In Burkina Faso the power plug sockets are of type C and E. Check out the following pictures. When living in the United States of America you need a power plug adapter for sockets type C and E.

  • Your appliances with plug A don’t fit socket C or E.
  • Your appliances with plug B don’t fit socket C or E.
Type C: This socket also works with plug E and F
Type C: This socket also works with plug E and F
Type E: This socket also works with plug C. Plug F will work if it has an additional pinhole
Type E: This socket also works with plug C. Plug F will work if it has an additional pinhole

Voltage converter needed in Burkina Faso?

In Burkina Faso the standard voltage is 220 V and the frequency is 50 Hz.

  • You can’t use your electric appliances in Burkina Faso without a voltage converter, because the standard voltage in Burkina Faso (220 V) is higher than in the United States of America (120 V).

You can seriously damage your appliances. You need a voltage converter in Burkina Faso! You can find voltage converters at Amazon. Because you also need a power plug adapter, you should consider a combined plug adapter/voltage converter.

Also the frequency in Burkina Faso (50 Hz) differs from the frequency in the United States of America (60 Hz). You should use a voltage converter which also changes the frequency, but these are hard to find. If your converter can’t change the frequency, be warned! Be especially careful with moving, rotating and time related appliances like clocks, shavers and electric fan heaters.

To be sure, check the label on the appliance. Some appliances never need a converter. If the label states ‘INPUT: 100-240V, 50/60 Hz’ the appliance can be used in all countries in the world. This is common for chargers of tablets/laptops, photo cameras, cell phones, toothbrushes, etc.