Published: 17.10.2026
The .bf extension is the country-code domain of Burkina Faso, a landlocked country in West Africa whose capital is Ouagadougou. French is the official language, and many people also speak local languages such as Mooré and Dioula. Local businesses, schools, cultural projects and organisations that work in the country use the ending to show their link to Burkina Faso. Use the availability form that follows this text to see whether your name in .bf is still free.
Check if a .bf domain is available .bf Check
A short history
The country became independent from France in 1960 under the name Upper Volta, and it took its current name in 1984. Its national zone has developed alongside the country's wider move to digital services. It has grown as local firms, media outlets, schools and community groups began to publish their own websites and to present their work to readers at home and abroad.
Who runs it
The zone is managed by a national body that keeps the register of names and sets the rules for registration. Registrars sell names to the public and forward the orders to the registry. Because the conditions are set for this country, the registry's current published terms are the reference for eligibility, documents and renewal, and they may change over time.
Rules in practice
- Holder conditions: the registry may set rules on who can hold a .bf name, so check your eligibility first.
- Contact details: the holder information must be accurate, and it may be checked when the registry asks.
- Characters: names use letters, digits and hyphens, within the length limits of the registry.
- Renewal: keep the expiry date in view, because a lapsed name can be picked up by another party.
Who uses .bf
- Shops, service providers and firms with customers in Burkina Faso.
- Schools, universities and training centres with French-speaking students.
- Media, cultural organisations and public information projects.
- Development and community projects that want a clear link to the country.
Strengths
- The ending links a site to Burkina Faso at once, which helps local visitors recognise it.
- The name is short and easy to print on a sign, a van or a business card.
- French is the official language, so the zone suits French-language sites well.
Things to keep in mind
- The zone points to one country, so a business with customers across West Africa may also want a generic address.
- Visitors from abroad may not recognise the ending, so write the full address on every card and sign.
- Internet access and speed vary across the country, so test the site on mobile connections before you launch.
- Good short names are often taken, so prepare two or three alternatives.
Tips before you register
- Check the name in .com and decide whether you need both addresses.
- Enter the holder details exactly as they appear in your official documents.
- Publish the site in French, and add local languages where your readers use them.
- Set up SPF, DKIM and DMARC records before the domain sends any e-mail.
- Enable two-factor login on the registrar account and keep the contact address active.
Frequently asked questions
Do I have to live in Burkina Faso to register a .bf name? Holder conditions may apply and can depend on your situation, so check the current terms at the time of the order.
Does .bf help a site appear in local search results? It is one geographic signal. Clear local content, a site that loads well on phones and genuine links usually matter more.
Can a site in English use .bf? Yes. The ending does not fix the language, but local customers may find it easier to use a French version of the main pages.
