Burkina Faso Scraps Visa Fees for Africans to Boost Solidarity

Burkina Faso has announced that citizens of all African countries can now enter the country without paying visa fees, in what officials describe as a bold step toward Pan-African unity and freer movement across the continent.

The announcement was made by the Minister of Security, Mahamadou Sana, shortly after 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 said. He explained, however, that travellers must still complete an online application for approval before entry.

Until now, only nationals of West African states enjoyed visa-free entry, but the expanded policy comes at a time when Burkina Faso, along with Mali and Niger, has withdrawn from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS), sparking uncertainty over regional travel rules.

According to officials, the measure aligns Burkina Faso with countries such as Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya, which have adopted similar initiatives in line with the African Union’s integration agenda. A statement from the junta’s information service noted that the new policy “for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad.”

Traoré, who took power in a 2022 coup, has consistently projected himself as a Pan-Africanist leader opposed to colonial influence and Western dominance. His stance has boosted his popularity across Africa, particularly on social media.

The announcement comes against the backdrop of Burkina Faso’s ongoing security crisis. Like Mali and Niger, the country has been locked in a decade-long battle with Islamist insurgents, with nearly 40 percent of its territory outside government control. Despite building closer ties with Russia and repeated assurances by the junta, attacks on civilians and security forces remain frequent.