Burkina Faso's 45 provinces constitute the second administrative level in the country's three-tier governance structure, positioned between the 13 regions above them and the departments below. Provinces serve as intermediate administrative units that coordinate regional policies at a more localized level, managing public services such as healthcare facilities, secondary education, agricultural extension programs, and infrastructure maintenance. Each province is administered by a high commissioner appointed by the central government, who works alongside an elected provincial council to implement national directives while addressing local needs. This administrative layer facilitates the delivery of government services across Burkina Faso's territory by bridging the gap between broader regional planning and the more granular departmental operations that directly serve individual communities.