Country code: 226.

Roaming agreements exist with some international mobile phone companies. Coverage is available in the five main towns. Handsets can be hired (against a large deposit).

Available in some hotels and Internet cafes. There are Internet cafes in Ouagadougou and one in Bobo Dioulasso. Power cuts can hamper Internet use.

There are few post offices, but stamps can often be bought at hotels. There is no local delivery, and all other mail must be addressed to a box number. Airmail to Europe takes up to two weeks.

Post office hours: Mon-Fri 0730-1230 and 1500-1730. The main post office in the capital is open Mon-Sat 0830-1200 and 1500-1830.

The Ministry of Communication and Culture regulates the media. Despite practising self-censorship many media outlets, particularly private ones, are often critical of the government. Some journalists are reported to have been threatened or arrested. There are about a dozen private radio stations, a private television channel and many private publications.

• The main daily newspapers are L’Observateur Paalga, Le Pays and Sidwaya Quotidien.

• Television Nationale du Burkina is state run.

• Radio Burkina is state run.
• Pulsar Radio and Radio Horizon FM are private stations.
• The BBC World Service, Voice of America and Radio France Internationale are available via local relays in Ouagadougou.