Bazèga Province is one of the 45 provinces of Burkina Faso, located in the Centre‑Sud Region of the country. Its administrative capital is the town of Zorgho.
Geography
- Area: Approximately 3,560 km².
- Location: Situated south‑central within Burkina Farsa, Bazèga borders the provinces of Kadiogo to the north, Zoundwéogo to the east, Nahouri to the southeast, Ziro Province to the south, and Bazèga shares a short border with the capital district of Ouagadougou’s surrounding area.
- Relief and climate: The province lies on the central plateau, characterized by gently undulating terrain and a Sudano‑Sahelian climate, with a rainy season from May to October and a dry season the remainder of the year.
Administrative divisions
Bazèga is subdivided into seven departments (arrondissements), each administered from a departmental capital. The departments include Zorgho, Doulougou, Kayao, Kombissiri, and three others.
Demographics
- Population: According to the 2019 national census, the province had roughly 238 000 inhabitants.
- Ethnic composition: The population is predominantly Mossi, with minority groups such as the Gurunsi and Fulani present in smaller numbers.
- Language: Mooré (the language of the Mossi) is the most widely spoken language; French is the official language of administration.
Economy
Agriculture is the primary economic activity, with millet, sorghum, maize, and rice cultivated for both subsistence and market. Cotton is also an important cash crop. Livestock rearing (cattle, sheep, and goats) contributes to household income, especially in the drier peripheral zones. Small‑scale trade and artisanal activities occur in the provincial capital and its surrounding towns.
Infrastructure
- Transportation: A national road (N1) linking Ouagadougou to the southern city of Bobo‑Dioulasso passes through the province, facilitating the movement of goods and people. Secondary roads connect the departmental capitals.
- Education and health: The province hosts a network of primary and secondary schools, as well as health centers and a district hospital located in Zorgho.
History
During the colonial period, the area that now constitutes Bazèga Province formed part of French Upper Volta. Administrative reorganization after Burkina Faso’s independence in 1960 established the current provincial boundaries.
References
- Institut National de la Statistique et de la Démographie (INSD), Burkina Faso, Census 2019.
- “Administrative divisions of Burkina Faso,” Government of Burkina Faso, Ministry of Territorial Administration.
All data presented reflects publicly available governmental sources and is accurate as of the latest published statistics.
