The government of Burkina Faso has announced that visa fees for all African nationals have been removed, in a bid to strengthen Pan-African solidarity and promote the free movement of people and goods.
According to the BBC, the country’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, revealed the decision on Thursday after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any visa fees,” Sana confirmed, while clarifying that travellers must still complete an online application for approval before entry.
Although citizens of West African states already travel to Burkina Faso without visas, this wider policy shift comes at a time of uncertainty over the nation’s status in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Earlier this year, Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, withdrew from the bloc, sparking concerns about regional mobility.
With the move, Burkina Faso now joins Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya in easing travel restrictions for Africans, aligning with the African Union’s vision of deeper continental integration.
A statement from the junta’s information service noted that the visa-free policy for Africans is also aimed at boosting tourism, promoting Burkinabe culture, and enhancing the country’s global image.
Since seizing power in 2022, Captain Traoré has positioned himself as a Pan-Africanist leader outspoken against colonial influence and Western dominance—gaining significant popularity, particularly on social media.
However, Burkina Faso continues to face grave security challenges, with Islamist insurgencies leaving nearly 40 per cent of its territory outside government control. Despite strengthening ties with Russia and repeated pledges to restore order, violent attacks on civilians and soldiers remain a persistent threat.
