We are affirming the 'B' long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings on Burkina Faso. The stable outlook reflects our expectation that Burkina Faso will continue to benefit from strong donor support and political stability, maintain sustainable debt levels, and continue to implement structural reforms. On May 26, 2010, Standard&Poor's Ratings Services affirmed its 'B' long- and short-term sovereign credit ratings on Burkina Faso. The outlook is stable. The ratings on Burkina Faso remain constrained by the country's low level of development with GDP per capita among the lowest in the world, at below $600. This leaves Burkina Faso's narrow economy, which is mainly dependent on the primary sector, very vulnerable to external shocks, including commodities price swings. The
