 |
The Embassy of Burkina Faso in London |
Contact
Address
16 Place Guy d'Arezzo, Brussels, B-1180
Phone Number
0032 2 3459912
Website
www.ambassadeduburkina.be
The Ambassador
H.E. Mr. Léopold Tonguenoma Bonkoungou
H.E. Mr. Léopold Tonguenoma Bonkoungou is a seasoned West African diplomat who commands an extensive, multi-country portfolio representing Burkina Faso across European and multilateral institutions. He officially cemented his status as Burkina Faso's chief envoy to the UK when he presented his credentials to King Charles III during a private audience at Buckingham Palace on May 16, 2024. Operating out of his primary operational base in Brussels, Ambassador Bonkoungou concurrently serves as the Ambassador of Burkina Faso to the Kingdom of Belgium, the European Union, the Netherlands, Luxembourg, and the Organization of African, Caribbean and Pacific States (OACPS). Known for his robust advocacy in agricultural sustainability, he is highly active in multilateral economic forums, frequently collaborating with the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) to champion global initiatives like World Pulses Day and working extensively with the Common Fund for Commodities (CFC) to empower smallholder farmers and build resilience in West African cotton supply chains.
History
Due to the absence of a permanent, physical chancery in London, bilateral relations between Burkina Faso and the United Kingdom are managed through the Burkinabe embassy in Brussels. (Conversely, the UK government manages its relations with Burkina Faso remotely via the British Embassy in Bamako, Mali).
The geopolitical mandate of Ambassador Bonkoungou's mission to the UK focuses heavily on international development cooperation, navigating complex regional security and humanitarian challenges within the Sahel, and advocating for economic resilience. While direct trade channels remain developing, the embassy prioritizes engaging with British and European agricultural frameworks to strengthen local Burkinabe economies. Additionally, the Brussels-based team coordinates with local UK-based community organizations—such as the Burkina Faso Community in the UK (BFCUK)—to provide essential consular guidance and support to the small but highly active Burkinabe diaspora residing across the British Isles.
