Burkina Faso has announced the abolition of visa fees for all African citizens, a move aimed at deepening Pan-African solidarity and promoting free movement across the continent.
The country’s Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, revealed the decision on Thursday following 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 amount to cover visa fees,” Sana stated.
He clarified that while the charges have been scrapped, travellers must still complete an online application for entry approval.
Citizens of West African nations already enjoy visa-free access to Burkina Faso. However, the latest move comes amid uncertainty over the country’s status in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), which Burkina Faso quit earlier this year alongside Mali and Niger.
According to the junta’s information service, the policy is also intended to boost tourism, showcase Burkinabe culture, and enhance the country’s visibility abroad.
With this development, Burkina Faso joins countries like Kenya, Rwanda, and Ghana, which have adopted similar visa-free entry policies in line with the African Union’s goal of fostering integration.
Since seizing power in a 2022 coup, Traoré has positioned himself as a Pan-Africanist leader, often critical of Western influence. His popularity has grown across Africa, particularly on social media, where he is praised for championing unity and sovereignty.
Despite these diplomatic shifts, Burkina Faso continues to face a prolonged Islamist insurgency. Nearly 40% of its territory remains outside government control, and attacks against civilians and security forces remain frequent, even as the junta strengthens ties with Russia and pledges to restore stability.
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