Burkina Faso has scrapped visa fees for all African citizens; a move the government says will strengthen regional integration and encourage trade and tourism.
The announcement came after a cabinet meeting chaired by military ruler Capt. Ibrahim Traoré. “From now on, any citizen of an African nation wishing to visit Burkina Faso will not pay visa fees,” said Security Minister Mahamadou Sana. However, visitors must still complete an online visa application for approval before travelling.
This puts Burkina Faso alongside Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have all moved in recent years to ease entry requirements for Africans. The African Union has also encouraged member states to make intra-African travel simpler, noting that it is often easier for visitors from outside the continent to move around Africa than it is for Africans themselves.
Citizens of West African countries can already travel visa-free to Burkina Faso, but this arrangement could change following its withdrawal from the Ecowas bloc, along with neighbours Mali and Niger, which are also under military rule.
Capt. Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has built an image as a Pan-African leader critical of colonial legacies and Western influence. His popularity has been amplified by social media, though some of the narratives boosting his reputation have been misleading.
Officials said this decision reflects the junta’s commitment to Pan-Africanism and its desire to promote Burkinabe culture abroad. The information service described the measure as a step toward increasing tourism and boosting the country’s visibility internationally.
Written by Kweku Sampson.
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