Burkina Faso has announced the removal of visa fees for all African nationals in a move aimed at promoting free movement of people and goods across the continent.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana disclosed the decision after a cabinet meeting presided over by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Sana said.
He clarified that travellers will still be required to complete an online visa application, which would be reviewed for approval.
The West African country now joins Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, which have recently introduced friendlier travel policies for Africans.
Citizens of West African nations had already been entering Burkina Faso without visas, but the development comes at a time the country, alongside Mali and Niger, has withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS).
Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has positioned himself as a Pan-Africanist while frequently criticising Western influence and colonialism.
His popularity across the continent has been amplified on social media, although he has faced accusations of authoritarianism and poor handling of the Islamist insurgency that has left about 40 percent of the country outside government control.
The junta said the decision reflects Burkina Faso’s Pan-Africanist ideals and commitment to regional integration.
“This free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” a statement from the government information service said.
The policy aligns with the African Union’s ongoing campaign to encourage visa-free travel across the continent.
Ghana recently announced visa-free access for African passport holders, while Kenya and Rwanda have also adopted similar policies.
