Burkina Faso has scrapped visa fees for all African nationals, a move the military-led government says is intended to deepen regional integration, promote tourism, and strengthen Pan-African solidarity. Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, announced the decision on Thursday after a cabinet meeting chaired by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to travel to Burkina Faso will not pay visa fees,” Sana said, noting that travellers will still be required to complete an online visa application for approval. The new policy aligns Burkina Faso with countries such as Rwanda, Kenya, and Ghana, which have recently introduced more open travel frameworks for Africans. While West Africans previously enjoyed visa-free entry under the ECOWAS protocol, the country’s recent withdrawal from the bloc—alongside Mali and Niger—had raised concerns over free movement within the region.
The government described the policy as a reaffirmation of its Pan-African ideals, highlighting its potential to attract tourists, promote Burkinabe culture, and enhance the nation’s global visibility. Observers note that the initiative also reflects the African Union’s long-term goal of a single African passport and the free movement of people, goods, and services across the continent.
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