The Network of People’s Credit Unions of Burkina Faso

The first credit union was established in 1972. At that time, the credit union model, imported from Ghana, generated considerable enthusiasm among the people of Bougouriba, in the Southwest region of Burkina Faso. Supported by the International Rural Development Company of Canada (IRDC), later renamed Desjardins International Development (DID), these communities worked to establish credit unions in the Bougouriba region (Diébougou, Koper, Dissin).

The concept of a “Network” emerged in 1985 with the expansion of the model to the Central and Northern regions of Burkina Faso. Since then, the RCPB has continued to grow and expand, with the ambition of getting closer to the people, working alongside them, and thus contributing to the economic and social well-being of its members and the entire community.

From a structural standpoint, the RCPB is organized on two levels: the credit unions (CPs), or grassroots structures, and the umbrella organization formed by the national consolidation of credit unions.

The Burkina Faso Credit Union Federation (FCPB) is the coordinating, supervisory, and oversight body for the credit unions’ activities. It serves as the central hub for providing non-financial services to the credit unions.

The term “Burkina Faso Credit Union Network (RCPB)” refers to the overall movement formed by these two levels.