The government of Burkina Faso has announced the removal of visa fees for all African nationals, a move aimed at strengthening Pan-African solidarity and promoting the free movement of people and goods across the continent.
According to the BBC, Minister of Security Mahamadou Sana revealed the policy change on Thursday following a cabinet meeting chaired by the country’s 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 added that travellers would still need to submit an online application for entry approval.
While citizens of West African countries already enjoy visa-free access to Burkina Faso, the announcement comes amid uncertainty about the country’s membership in the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS). Burkina Faso, alongside Mali and Niger, withdrew from the bloc earlier this year, raising questions about regional travel and trade arrangements.
The West African nation now joins countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya in introducing policies that simplify travel for African visitors, aligning with the African Union’s push for continental integration.
A statement from the junta’s information service said the new visa-free policy will also help promote tourism, showcase Burkinabe culture, and increase the country’s visibility internationally.
Captain Ibrahim Traoré, who took power in a 2022 coup, has presented himself as a Pan-Africanist leader, critical of colonial influence and Western dominance. Despite security ties with Russia and promises from the junta to restore stability, Burkina Faso continues to face challenges from Islamist insurgents, with nearly 40 percent of the country reportedly outside government control.
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