

African Tanks supplies durable galvanized and bolted steel water storage tanks across Burkina Faso. These tanks support household, agricultural, commercial, and community use across all 13 regions.
They are specifically built for Burkina Faso’s Sahelian climate. As a result, they perform reliably in extreme heat, long dry seasons, and areas with limited water infrastructure.
In addition, African Tanks delivers to both major cities such as Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso and more remote regions. Contact the team for sizing, pricing, and delivery options based on your location.
Each tank provides a controlled environment for storing clean or grey water. As a result, users can maintain water quality even during extended storage periods. African Tank Systems remains a leader in custom-designed bulk storage solutions.
Across Burkina Faso, water shortages are common due to drought and limited access to reliable supply. Therefore, water storage tanks play a critical role in maintaining consistent availability.
In both residential and commercial settings, stored water reduces dependency on unreliable sources. In addition, it helps lower long-term costs while also supporting emergency needs such as fire protection.
Water scarcity refers to the lack of sufficient water resources to meet demand. Globally, this affects billions of people each year, and Burkina Faso remains one of the most impacted regions.
Historically, access to clean water has been limited, particularly in rural areas. As a result, many communities still rely on boreholes, seasonal rivers, or external support systems.
In addition, sanitation infrastructure remains underdeveloped. Schools, for example, often lack adequate access to drinking water, handwashing facilities, and toilets. This further increases the need for reliable on-site storage solutions.
The most effective water storage tanks in Burkina Faso are galvanized and bolted steel systems. These tanks are widely used because they handle both environmental and logistical challenges.
For example, they support household backup supply in Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. At the same time, they are used for community water points in Sahel and Centre-Nord regions, particularly where displacement has increased demand.
In addition, these tanks are ideal for NGO WASH programmes and agricultural irrigation, including cotton, maize, and millet farming. Steel construction withstands extreme heat and prolonged sun exposure without degrading.
Meanwhile, modular bolted designs allow transport to remote and conflict-affected areas where access is limited. As a result, they remain one of the most practical and scalable solutions available.
Most importantly, steel tanks typically last between 20 and 30 years. Therefore, they offer a far more durable and cost-effective solution than plastic alternatives in Burkina Faso’s conditions.
Burkina Faso’s water crisis has intensified in recent years. In addition to long-standing infrastructure challenges, security issues have increased pressure on already limited systems.
Since 2016, instability across regions such as the Sahel, Nord, and Centre-Nord has displaced millions of people. As a result, demand for water has increased significantly in both urban and rural areas.
Meanwhile, utilities such as ONEA face growing pressure in cities like Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso. In contrast, rural communities often experience even lower access levels due to limited infrastructure.
At the same time, climate conditions continue to worsen. Erratic rainfall, longer dry seasons, and groundwater depletion reduce the availability of natural water sources.
Therefore, water storage tanks are no longer optional. They are essential for households, farms, NGOs, and institutions operating in Burkina Faso.
In addition, stored water reduces dependence on unreliable supply systems. It also ensures consistent access for drinking, agriculture, sanitation, and emergency use.
A household of four typically requires between 10,000 and 30,000 litres of storage. However, the exact size depends on location, access to supply, and usage needs.
In urban areas such as Ouagadougou or Bobo-Dioulasso, a 10,000 to 20,000-litre tank usually covers short-term supply interruptions. In contrast, a 20,000-litre tank can provide approximately five to eight weeks of backup under normal usage.
Meanwhile, in rural regions such as the Sahel or Nord, larger systems are often required. Therefore, tanks ranging from 30,000 to 50,000 litres are more suitable for extended dry periods and unreliable borehole access.
Daily consumption typically ranges from 60 to 150 litres per person. As a result, proper sizing is critical to ensure consistent supply throughout the dry season.
In rural areas and small farming communities across Burkina Faso’s 13 regions, rainwater harvesting provides a reliable dry-season reserve. As a result, households and farms are less dependent on ONEA connections, boreholes, or water trucking. The wet season runs from June to September in the south and from July to August in the Sahel. Therefore, this short window makes early collection and large storage capacity essential.
Rainwater supports multiple uses across rural Burkina Faso. For example, it helps break down compost while also keeping livestock and crops hydrated. In addition, it can be used to rinse fruits and vegetables directly from gardens and plantations. African Tank systems allow communities and NGO water points to collect and store this limited rainfall for use throughout the long dry season.
Meanwhile, emergency storage plays a critical role in displacement-affected areas. As demand increases in host communities, stored water helps bridge gaps where existing supply cannot meet growing needs.
Stored rainwater and emergency supply support essential daily use. This includes drinking water once treated, hygiene and sanitation in households and clinics, and irrigation for crops such as maize, millet, and sorghum. In addition, it supports livestock watering, food security, and fire protection in both rural and semi-urban environments.
African Tank water storage systems offer a cost-effective solution for long and short-term water storage. As a result, users reduce reliance on expensive water trucking or inconsistent supply. These systems are designed to remain affordable while also being backed by warranty protection.
In addition, a wide range of tank sizes and configurations is available to suit different applications. Standard capacity options include 30,000, 50,000, 75,000, 100,000, 250,000, and 500,000 litres. Larger custom systems are also available for municipal, industrial, and NGO projects.
Therefore, buyers can select a system that matches both their budget and water demand. Contact African Tanks for detailed specifications, pricing, and available configurations based on your project requirements.
African Tanks manufactures four main tank types for Burkina Faso. Each option suits different budgets, locations, and storage needs. As a result, buyers can select a system that aligns with site conditions and required capacity.
|
Tank Type |
Capacity Range |
Best Used For |
Why It Suits Burkina Faso |
|
Steel tanks |
50,000 – 5,000,000+ litres |
Community supply, irrigation, NGO water points, municipal backup |
Handles extreme heat with long service life |
|
Galvanized tanks |
10,000 – 1,000,000 litres |
Households, schools, clinics, smallholder farms, displacement sites |
Resists corrosion and suits mid-range needs |
|
Bolted tanks |
100,000 – 10,000,000+ litres |
Remote water points, NGO projects, government infrastructure |
Enables delivery to hard-to-reach areas |
|
Sectional tanks |
10,000 – 500,000 litres |
Urban buildings, hospitals, hotels, commercial sites |
Fits compact urban installation spaces |
Choosing the correct tank size starts with calculating daily water demand and planning for the full dry season. In Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso, a household of four typically uses between 240 and 600 litres per day, depending on usage levels. As a result, a storage capacity of 20,000 to 50,000 litres is required to cover supply interruptions or extended dry periods.
In displacement settings, demand increases significantly. Therefore, systems ranging from 500,000 to 1,000,000 litres are often required to support large communities and reduce reliance on water trucking.
Agricultural sizing depends on crop type, land size, and irrigation needs. For example, a two-to-three-hectare market garden typically requires between 150,000 and 400,000 litres to sustain crops through the dry season. Meanwhile, larger cotton farms may require between 500,000 and 2,000,000 litres to maintain consistent production.
Commercial and institutional users must also plan for operational continuity. Hospitals, hotels, and government facilities in Ouagadougou should size for at least four weeks of demand, with additional capacity for fire protection. In addition, NGO operations should plan for up to 90 days of stored supply to ensure continuity in remote or high-risk areas.
As a general rule, oversizing by at least 20 percent is recommended. Therefore, a larger tank reduces long-term risk and avoids the cost of emergency water supply or future expansion under difficult conditions.
Every sector in Burkina Faso has unique water storage requirements. As a result, capacity and tank type must align with usage, location, and supply reliability. The table below outlines typical capacity ranges and why on-site storage is essential across sectors.
|
Sector |
Typical Capacity Needed |
Why Storage is Critical in Burkina Faso |
|
Household / residential |
10,000 – 50,000 litres |
Backup supply bridges outages and long dry seasons |
|
Displaced persons / IDP sites |
100,000 – 1,000,000+ litres |
Supports high demand where supply is limited |
|
Smallholder farming |
10,000 – 200,000 litres |
Maintains crops through dry season |
|
Cotton and cash crop farming |
100,000 – 2,000,000+ litres |
Ensures irrigation for export crops |
|
NGOs and WASH programmes |
50,000 – 1,000,000+ litres |
Enables supply in remote or restricted areas |
|
Schools and clinics |
10,000 – 100,000 litres |
Supports sanitation and daily operations |
|
Municipal / community supply |
50,000 – 1,000,000+ litres |
Provides reserve where infrastructure is unreliable |
|
Commercial / hospitality |
50,000 – 250,000 litres |
Maintains operations during supply interruptions |
|
Agro-processing and industry |
200,000 – 5,000,000+ litres |
Protects continuous production processes |
|
Benefit |
What It Means for Buyers in Burkina Faso |
|
Warranty protection |
Written warranty cover for remote installations |
|
Galvanized steel construction |
Resists extreme heat and UV exposure |
|
Hygienic potable storage |
Food-grade liners protect water quality |
|
Modular panel design |
Flat-pack panels enable remote delivery |
|
Custom capacities |
Suitable for small to large-scale storage |
|
Affordable long-term solution |
Lower lifetime cost due to durability |
|
After-sales support |
Ongoing guidance and remote assistance |
|
Consideration |
What to Think About |
|
Daily water demand |
Size for peak dry-season use or ONEA outages, not average use |
|
Water source type |
Source affects sizing and tank spec across climate zones |
|
Potable vs non-potable use |
Food-grade coatings required for safe drinking water |
|
Dry season duration |
Size storage to cover full dry season without trucking |
|
Site access and security |
Remote sites need flat-pack bolted tanks for access |
|
Extreme heat |
Steel handles heat better; plastic degrades over time |
|
Population density and IDP pressure |
Size for total population, often much higher than expected |
|
Expansion plans |
Oversize by at least 20 percent from the start |
|
Budget vs lifespan |
Focus on long-term cost, not just upfront price |
|
Installation support |
Ensure supplier provides guidance and after-sales support |
African Tanks manufactures galvanized and bolted steel tanks in South Africa and delivers them to Burkina Faso as complete units or flat-packed systems. In cities such as Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and Koudougou, delivery typically takes place via standard road logistics.
However, in conflict-affected regions where access is restricted, flat-pack bolted panels provide a practical solution. These panels are compact and lightweight, allowing transport by air to regional hubs such as Kaya, Dori, Ouahigouya, and Fada N’Gourma. From there, they can be carried by hand to the final installation site.
On-site assembly is straightforward and requires only basic hand tools. Therefore, no cranes, heavy machinery, or specialist lifting equipment are needed. In addition, African Tanks provides step-by-step installation guidance and remote technical support throughout the process.
After installation, ongoing support ensures the system performs reliably from the first fill. As a result, buyers can maintain consistent water supply even in challenging environments. Contact African Tanks with your location, access conditions, and project details to receive an accurate delivery and installation plan.
African Tanks supplies galvanized and bolted steel water storage tanks across Burkina Faso. As a result, buyers can secure reliable water storage for households, farms, NGOs, and community projects.
Contact the team to request pricing, confirm sizing, and plan delivery based on your location and site conditions.
African Tanks supplies galvanized and bolted steel tanks across all 13 regions, including Ouagadougou, Bobo-Dioulasso, and key secondary towns. Tanks ship from South Africa to urban centres, while flat-pack options reach remote or conflict-affected areas. Therefore, buyers can request a quote, confirm delivery logistics, and access current pricing directly.
Tank pricing depends on capacity, tank type, and delivery location. Smaller galvanized tanks suit households and small businesses, while larger bolted tanks serve NGOs and communities. As a result, although initial costs vary, steel tanks deliver lower long-term cost due to their extended lifespan in extreme heat.
Farm sizing depends on crop type, land size, and dry-season duration. For example, small market gardens typically require moderate storage, while larger farms need significantly higher capacity. Therefore, accurate sizing ensures irrigation continuity throughout the dry season.
Yes, galvanized tanks use food-grade coatings and hygienic liners. In addition, the zinc layer prevents corrosion while the liner maintains water quality. However, water should still be treated before drinking, especially in high-risk or densely populated areas.
Steel tanks typically last 20 to 30 years under Burkina Faso’s climate conditions. In contrast, plastic tanks degrade much faster due to extreme heat and UV exposure. As a result, steel provides better durability and long-term value.
African Tanks supplies galvanized tanks for general use, bolted tanks for large-scale and remote projects, sectional tanks for urban sites, and custom systems for industrial applications. Therefore, buyers can match tank type to specific use and location requirements.
Yes, bolted tanks are designed for restricted-access locations. Flat-pack panels are easy to transport by air and carry by hand to site. In addition, no heavy machinery is required for assembly, making them suitable for high-risk regions.
Rainwater harvesting collects rainfall during the short wet season and stores it for use during the long dry period. As a result, it provides a reliable water source for households and farms without access to consistent supply.
Yes, custom tanks are available in various shapes and capacities. Buyers can specify dimensions, usage, and site conditions. Therefore, each system is tailored to meet project-specific requirements.
Water tanks provide reliable storage where infrastructure is limited. In addition, they support displaced and host communities by ensuring consistent access to clean water. As a result, they play a critical role in humanitarian response and long-term water security.
ONEA is the national water utility responsible for urban supply. However, coverage gaps remain in both urban and rural areas. Therefore, on-site storage is essential to maintain consistent access where supply is unreliable.
Water storage is critical due to limited access, climate pressure, and rising demand. In addition, population displacement and infrastructure gaps increase reliance on stored water. Therefore, tanks provide essential supply security.
Community systems require large-capacity storage to meet daily demand. For example, systems must support thousands of people while maintaining reserve supply. As a result, multiple large tanks are often required for full coverage.
Yes, steel tanks perform significantly better under extreme heat. Plastic degrades quickly, while steel maintains structure and safety over time. Therefore, steel is the preferred long-term solution.
Galvanized tanks last 20 to 30 years in harsh Sahel conditions. In addition, proper installation improves lifespan and performance. Therefore, they remain the most reliable option in extreme environments.
Water tanks provide dry-season reserves for irrigation and livestock. As a result, farmers can maintain production and protect crops. In addition, this supports household income and national food security.