Flag of algeria Algeria vs Flag of burkina faso Burkina Faso

International relations comparison · updated Oct 2026
5.0 / 10
Neutral

The relation between Algeria and Burkina Faso is NEUTRAL, with an overall score of 5.0 out of 10.

Chance of conflict between both countries: rare

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Head to head: who leads each category

Population
Algeria 47.4M Leads
Burkina Faso 24.1M
GDP
Algeria $287.0B Leads
Burkina Faso $27.6B
Military expenditure
Algeria $21.8B Leads
Burkina Faso $1.0B
Global influence rank
Algeria #71 Leads
Burkina Faso #151

About this relationship

Algeria and Burkina Faso have limited direct bilateral history, though Algeria, as North Africa's largest country by area and a longstanding actor in Sahelian security affairs, has periodically engaged with Burkina Faso and other Sahel states on counterterrorism cooperation given the spillover of Islamist militancy across the porous Sahara-Sahel border region. Burkina Faso, which has experienced repeated military coups and a severe Islamist insurgency in recent years, has increasingly turned toward regional and Russian-linked security partnerships rather than its traditional Western and North African relationships. Trade and diplomatic contact between the two nations remain modest, with cooperation occurring mainly through regional Sahel security forums and the African Union.

·
47.4MLeads
Population
24.1M
2.4M km²Leads
Land area
273.6K km²
Algiers
Capital
Ouagadougou
Islam
Main religion
Indigenous beliefs, Islam, Christianity
76 years
Life expectancy
60 years

Strengths & comparison

Population Algeria is 1.97x larger
Land area Algeria is 8.71x larger

The position in the international influence ranking of Algeria is 71, while Burkina Faso is situated 80 places below in the ranking (position 151). Algeria maintains contact with 51 countries, while Burkina Faso maintains contact with 17 countries. Algeria maintains an excellent relation with 3 countries, while in the case of Burkina Faso, this figure drops to 0.

About Algeria

Algeria is a country located in North Africa, bordering the Mediterranean Sea to the north, Tunisia to the northeast, Libya to the east, Niger to the southeast, Mali and Mauritania to the southwest, and Morocco to the west. It is the largest country in Africa and the Arab world, and the tenth-largest in the world.

Algeria has a long and complex history, having been ruled by various empires and powers throughout its history, including the Roman Empire, the Ottoman Empire, and the French colonial empire. It gained independence from France in 1962, after a long and bloody struggle known as the Algerian War of Independence.

Since independence, Algeria has been ruled by a series of authoritarian governments, and has faced several internal conflicts and political instability. However, it has also made significant economic and social progress, with a strong focus on education and the development of its natural resources, particularly oil and natural gas.

Geopolitically, Algeria is an important player in the region, and is a member of the Arab League and the African Union. It has strong ties to its neighbors and other countries in the region, and is involved in regional efforts to promote stability and cooperation. It is also a major player in the global energy market, and is a key supplier of oil and natural gas to Europe and other parts of the world.

Geography & terrain

A narrow, fertile Mediterranean coastal strip gives way to the Atlas Mountains and then the vast Sahara Desert, which covers most of the country. Climate ranges from Mediterranean on the coast to hot and arid in the interior. The desert interior is a formidable natural barrier against invasion, though the populated coastal belt is more exposed to seaborne attack.

About Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a landlocked country located in West Africa. It shares borders with six countries: Mali to the northwest, Niger to the northeast, Benin to the southeast, Togo and Ghana to the south, and Côte d'Ivoire to the southwest. The capital of Burkina Faso is Ouagadougou.

Burkina Faso gained independence from France in 1960 and has a history of political instability and coups. The country has a presidential system of government, with the president serving as both the head of state and government.

The economy of Burkina Faso is largely based on agriculture, with cotton, sorghum, and millet being the main crops. The country also has significant deposits of gold and other minerals, which have attracted foreign investment. However, Burkina Faso is one of the poorest countries in the world, and its economic development has been hindered by a lack of infrastructure and political instability.

In recent years, Burkina Faso has faced a number of challenges, including terrorism and violence related to Islamic extremist groups in the country's north and east. The country has also experienced a series of coups and political unrest. In 2014, a popular uprising led to the ousting of President Blaise Compaoré, who had been in power for 27 years.

Despite these challenges, Burkina Faso has a diverse and vibrant culture, with a rich tradition of music, dance, and craftsmanship. The country is home to a variety of ethnic groups, including the Mossi, who make up the largest group, and the Fulani, who are largely concentrated in the north and east. French is the official language of Burkina Faso, but many other languages are also spoken in the country.

Geography & terrain

Mostly flat savanna and semi-arid Sahelian plateau, with limited relief anywhere in the country. Climate is hot, dry, and prone to drought, especially in the north. Landlocked, no coastline. The open, largely featureless terrain offers few natural barriers, making it historically easier to cross and harder to defend along any fixed line.

Source: World Bank Open Data. Most recent available data
Algeria Burkina Faso
Government type Semi-presidential republic Military junta (transitional)
GDP $287.0BLeads $27.6B
GDP per capita $6.1KLeads $1.1K
Military expenditure $21.8BLeads $1.0B
Military expenditure per capita $460Leads $43
Land military expenditure (estimation) $10.9BLeads $818.9M
Air military expenditure (estimation) $5.5BLeads $204.7M
Naval military expenditure (estimation) $5.5B n/a
Nuclear power No No
European Union Not a member Not a member
NATO Not a member Not a member

Algeria and Burkina Faso also share membership in: African Union

Strengths & comparison

Military expenditure Algeria is 21.31x larger
Land (estimation)
$10.9B$818.9M
Air (estimation)
$5.5B$204.7M
Naval (estimation)
$5.5Bn/a

The capitals of Algeria and Burkina Faso are approximately 2 749 km apart (straight-line distance). There is a standard time difference of about 1.0 hours between them.

Based on shared language, currency, economic profile, borders and international groups, Algeria and Burkina Faso score a 35/100 similarity index. This is a fun, approximate metric — not a scientific one.

Very bad relation (3-/10) with both countries

France

Which side is each country closer to?

Map legend
Closer to Algeria Closer to Burkina Faso

Comparing Algeria's and Burkina Faso's scores against the same third countries shows where each one has a clear edge. Algeria scores noticeably higher with: Russia, China, Spain, Palestine, Canada.Burkina Faso scores noticeably higher with: Iran, India, Libya, France, United States.

Let's suppose a hypothetical conflict occurs between both countries:

Solo scenario: Algeria vs Burkina Faso
Algeria 74.6%Winner Burkina Faso 25.4%
Battle narrative

Initial phase

Algeria's larger military budget and stronger air power give it an advantage in the initial stages of the conflict, with the ability to target key military positions and infrastructure.

Force composition

Algeria can also call on significantly more personnel, counting both active-duty and reserve forces. Algeria's advantage extends to naval power as well.

Ground campaign

Algeria's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The desert interior is a formidable natural barrier against invasion, though the populated coastal belt is more exposed to seaborne attack. Port of Algiers would likely be a focal point of the campaign: Algeria's capital and largest port, the primary entry point for seaborne supplies and reinforcements. Burkina Faso's terrain could make a rapid ground campaign difficult: The open, largely featureless terrain offers few natural barriers, making it historically easier to cross and harder to defend along any fixed line. Ouagadougou would likely be a focal point of the campaign: The capital is the hub through which nearly all of landlocked Burkina Faso's road and air traffic passes. Algeria's larger population could also support a prolonged resistance.

Prolonged conflict

Algeria's stronger economy could help sustain military operations in a prolonged conflict. Algeria also devotes a larger share of its economy to defense (about 7.6% of GDP), a more militarized posture that could be easier to sustain over time. Occupying Burkina Faso outright would likely prove costly given its terrain.

Overall assessment

Algeria would be more likely to prevail in this matchup, with an estimated 74.6% probability of winning. Achieving a decisive victory over Burkina Faso — let alone occupying it — would likely be more difficult than that headline number suggests.

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