| Tenure | Incumbent | Affiliation | Notes |
| Upper Volta | Autonomous French Territory |
| (Haute-Volta) |
| 6 September 1958 to 11 December 1959 | Ouezzin Coulibaly, "Vice-président du conseil de gouvernement" | RDA | |
| 11 December 1959 to 5 August 1960 | Maurice Yaméogo, "Vice-président du conseil de gouvernement" | MDV | |
| Republic of Upper Volta | Autonomous Republic |
| (République de Haute-Volta) |
| 11 December 1959 to 5 August 1960 | Maurice Yaméogo, President | MDV | |
| Republic of Upper Volta | Independence from France |
| (République de Haute-Volta) |
| 5 August 1960 to 4 January 1966 | Maurice Yaméogo, President | UDV | (contd.) |
| 4 January 1966 to 25 November 1980 | Sangoulé Lamizana, President | Mil/MNR | |
| 25 November 1980 to 7 November 1982 | Saye Zerbo, President of the Military Committee of Recovery for National Progress | Mil | |
| 8 November 1982 to 11 November 1982 | Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, Provisional Chairman of the Provisional Committee of Popular Salvation | Mil | |
| 11 November 1982 to 26 November 1982 | Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, Chairman of the Provisional Committee of Popular Salvation | (contd.) |
| 26 November 1982 to 4 August 1983 | Jean-Baptiste Ouedraogo, Head of State | Mil | (contd.) |
| 4 August 1983 to 4 August 1984 | Thomas Sankara, Chairman of the National Revolutionary Council and Head of state | Mil | |
| Burkina Faso |
| 4 August 1984 to 15 October 1987 | Thomas Sankara, Chairman of the National Revolutionary Council and Président of Faso | Mil | |
| 15 October 1987 to 31 October 1987 | Blaise Compaoré, President of the Popular Front | Mil/FP | |
| 31 October 1987 to December 1991 | Blaise Compaoré, President of the Popular Front and Head of State | (contd.) |
| December 1991 to 24 December 1991 | ODP-MT | (contd.) |
| 24 December 1991 to 1996 | Blaise Compaoré, President | (contd.) |
| 1996 to present | Blaise Compaoré, President | CPD | (contd.) |
