Recruit
Burkina Faso operates a civil law system in which the criminal record extract is the central screening document. The country also has one of the longer established data protection authorities in West Africa, so employers should not treat privacy as an afterthought.
What employers can check
Identity, employment history, and academic qualifications are the standard verifications. Diplomas are worth confirming with the issuing institution, and foreign qualifications generally need recognition before they can be relied on for regulated roles. Social security registration records give a useful trace of previous formal employment.
Criminal record checks
The document is the extrait de casier judiciaire, issued by the court covering the candidate’s place of birth. It is requested by the individual, who then provides it to the employer, and it is treated as current only for a limited period, so ask for a recent one. Screening is expected in banking and microfinance, private security, education, healthcare, mining, and roles involving children or the handling of cash.
Data protection
Personal data processing is supervised by the national data protection authority, and the framework requires a lawful basis, transparency, and proportionality. Take written consent before screening, tell the candidate what you are collecting and why, restrict it to what the role genuinely requires, store results securely, and dispose of them once recruitment closes.
Medical checks
Pre-employment medical examinations are required in several sectors, particularly mining, construction, and food handling, and are carried out through occupational health services. Keep the scope tied to fitness for the specific role rather than general health enquiry.
Practical guidance
Allow time, because the casier judiciaire is issued by the court of the candidate’s birthplace and processing can be slow if that is outside the capital. Apply the same checks to everyone considered for a role and keep evidence of consent. An employer of record can manage screening and compliant onboarding if you have no local entity.
