How to charge any mobile phone when planning a trip to Burkina Faso

A guide showing you how to charge your mobile phone from a Burkinabe power outlet using Type B USB micro cord and a Type C USB adapter and charging any mobile phone using a Type E power adapter.

Burkinabe power outlet

Complicated voltages and plugs can all be confusing when planning on staying in a new country to the first time traveller. This page has been specifically written to assist visitors wanting to power the mobile phone when they are staying abroad.This page is a guide demonstrating exactly how to charge your mobile phone when you are in Burkina Faso by using their Type E or C Burkinabe 220 volt 50Hz plug outlets. When you are travelling to Burkina Faso from another country please check that your mobile phone can accept a 240 volt supply. If it was purchased in a country which uses a lower voltage (for example 110 volts) ensure that the device is dual-voltage (marked with a 100-240 volt notation) otherwise you may need to use an additional converter to stop the device from overloading during charging. If you plan on travelling to a destination like Ouagadougou or Bobo-Dioulasso we also recommend referring to the Burkinabe wikipedia page [1] for further information on the location.

These instructions are for a generic mobile phone and assume the phone has a standard micro USB port, Bluetooth connectivity and a headphone socket. For a specific mobile phone visit the Mobile phones page for a full list of makes and models.

Charging any mobile phone in Burkina Faso

Can the mobile phone be used in Burkina Faso?

You can use any mobile phone in Burkina Faso by using the correct power convertor.

What is the best power adapter for recharging any mobile phone in Burkina Faso?

If travelling to more than one country then the best international travel charger for Burkina Faso to buy is a multiple USB port adapter which includes swappable plugs like a 4 port USB travel charger. There are two different standards of wall outlets that Burkinabe use (E and C) and bringing this will ensure that you are covered for type C. Because these types of chargers come with interchangeable pins and handle 100 volts to 240 volts it makes them ideal for over 100 countries in North America, Europe, Asia and Africa simply by switching the supplied heads. If your mobile phone can support Fast Charge (not all USB devices will) then you'll benefit from much quicker charging times by using one of these types of USB power chargers, along with support for certain power hungry devices like tablets. This means you can recharge more than one device at once without needing to pack individual travel adapters for your trip or using up additional wall sockets. By only packing a single international USB travel charger will help keep the size and weight down, making it ideal to store in hand baggage whilst travelling as well as being on hand for recharging your mobile phone at the airport or on a flight. Because of their flexibility these types of travel chargers can be used at home so when you’re not travelling they can sit overnight charging multiple phones and tablets without using up an additional wall outlet.

For those travelling on a regular basis we recommend buying this type of flexible travel adapter at an electronics retailer - the multipurpose power charger illustrated below is the 4 Port USB Wall Charger which has been tested successfully with multiple USB devices in numerous foreign countries around the world.

Alternative travel adapter for Burkina Faso

The 4 port USB travel charger is the most compact option for travellers from any country wanting to recharge devices via USB, however for those also wanting to use their domestic plugs these power converters provide larger but more versatile solutions. All 3 power adapters offer surge protection which is crucial for visitors of counties with unreliable power grids to prevent damage to any connected devices from voltage spikes. These travel converters are supplied with interchangeable type C, I and G plugs which cover Europe, America, Australia, United Kingdom, Japan, China and over 150 destinations:

  • BESTEK Portable International Travel Voltage Converter - The BESTEK international travel adaptor has 4 USB charging ports with 3 AC power outlets and is the best selling compact power adapter for travellers originating from America visiting Burkina Faso.
  • ORICO Traveling Outlet Surge Protector Power Strip - Likewise having 4 USB ports but only 2 AC power outlets the Orico travel adapter is also aimed at travellers from America using type B plugs. This is a much cheaper alternative to the BESTEK with one less AC outlet at almost half the price.
  • BESTEK International USB Travel Power Strip - This power strip has just 2 AC outlets but offers a generous 5 USB charging ports. This versatile power strip is compatible with both American plugs and popular plug types A, D,E/F, G, H, I, L and N making it ideal for most travellers from around the world visiting Burkina Faso. [7] [AD]
What is the best power adapter for recharging any mobile phone in Burkina Faso?

Powering any mobile phone with a Burkinabe power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

A guide showing you how to charge your mobile phone from a Burkinabe power outlet using Type B USB micro cord and a Type C USB adapter.

  1. If you want to supply power to any mobile phone from the Burkinabe power outlet you will need a Type C USB power plug adapter [3] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Firstly you'll need to insert the Type C USB power plug adapter in the Burkinabe power outlet. This power outlet, sometimes called a Europlug, is identified by two round holes next to each other.
  3. Connect the USB end of the USB micro type B cable into the USB adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (please note that you can usually connect the cable supplied with your mobile phone for charging with any USB charger).
  4. The USB charging port is typically located either on the side or bottom of the mobile.
  5. Switch on the Burkinabe power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on your mobile phone should indicate that the device is charging, refer to the phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
Powering any mobile phone with a Burkinabe power outlet by using a 2 pinned Type C Europlug USB adapter

How to use a Type E power charger for charging your mobile phone from a Burkinabe power outlet

Using USB type B connector and a three pinned Type E power charger to recharge any mobile phone with a Burkinabe power outlet.

  1. In order to charge any mobile phone using the Burkinabe power outlet you'll need to buy a Type E USB power plug adapter [6] and a USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable [4].
  2. Begin by plugging the Type E USB power plug adapter in the Burkinabe power outlet. The sunken round power outlet, sometimes called a Type E power outlet [5] or CEE 7/7 plug, can be identified by two large round holes 19mm apart from each other and a long metal earth pin protruding the top forming a triangle configuration.
  3. Connect one end of the USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable into the bottom of the USB mains adapter and the other end into the USB charging port on any mobile phone. These instructions assume your phone uses a Micro USB type B port. Please refer to the instructions supplied with your mobile to check this is correct and visit the Mobile phones page to see if your model is listed (note you can usually connect the cable which came with your mobile phone to charge with any USB adapter).
  4. The USB charging port can normally be found either on the side or bottom of the mobile phone.
  5. Turn on the Burkinabe power outlet.
  6. The battery indicator on the mobile phone will indicate that the phone is charging, refer to your phone`s instruction manual to find out how long it will take. [AD]
How to use a Type E power charger for charging your mobile phone from a Burkinabe power outlet

See also

  1. Wikipedia - Burkinabe wikipedia page
  2. iec.ch - Type C power outlet
  3. Type C USB power plug adapter - Conforming to Europlug specifications, the Type C USB power plug adapter incorporates two 4 mm rounded pins spaced 19 mm apart. It is engineered to adapt electrical outlets commonly found in Europe, converting them to USB-compatible charging ports..
  4. USB 2.0 A Male to Micro B cable - Used to connect USB devices which have a USB Mini-B port to computers, power supplies and other devices.
  5. iec.ch - Type E power outlet
  6. Type E USB power plug adapter - Meeting CEE 7/5 and CEE 7/6 standards, the Type E USB power plug adapter uses the Schuko standard with two round pins and an earthing hole. It adapts European outlets such as Germany to USB-standard ports for USB device charging..
  7. 4 Port USB Wall Charger - A 4-port USB wall charger is an electrical device that provides simultaneous charging for up to four USB-compatible devices. It often includes interchangeable international plug adapters for global use..