Burkina Faso has taken a historic step in modernizing its family law with the unanimous adoption of a new Code of Persons and the Family (CPF) by the Transitional Legislative Assembly (ALT) on Monday, September 1, 2025.
The reform, the first in over three decades, aims to align the legal framework of the family with the country’s evolving social, cultural, and economic realities.
Comprising 1,113 articles organized into 17 titles and 56 chapters, the new code introduces sweeping changes across civil, customary, and religious spheres.
Justice Minister Edasso Rodrigue Bayala described the reform as “a historic reform” that blends legal innovation with respect for cultural values and a commitment to fostering a more just and united Burkinabe family.
He emphasized that the unanimous adoption reflected “collective support” for the transformation.
Key provisions of the code include the digitization of civil status and the creation of personal identifiers, harmonization of the legal age of marriage and civil majority at 18 years—with judicial exemptions at 16 years—and recognition of customary and religious marriages only after registration in the civil registry.
The acquisition of nationality by marriage is no longer automatic, and a new chapter addresses statelessness in line with international conventions.
The reform also introduces measures to reduce inheritance inequalities, particularly enabling parents to inherit from their children, and provides enhanced protections for women, children, and the family unit.
Controversially, the CPF bans homosexual practices, stipulating prison sentences, fines, and expulsion for repeat offenders, and allows for deprivation of nationality for acts deemed harmful to national interests.
Anchored in Burkinabe sovereignty and culture, the new CPF seeks to balance modernization with local realities, while marking a deliberate departure from external influences on family law.
Authorities hope the code will serve as a comprehensive legal instrument, promoting fairness, cohesion, and recognition of the country’s diverse cultural practices.
The adoption of this code represents a defining moment for Burkina Faso, signaling a renewed commitment to legal reform and the protection of family rights in the 21st century.
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