Burkina Faso has announced the removal of visa fees for all African nationals as part of efforts to boost mobility and trade across the continent.
“From now on, any African citizen travelling to Burkina Faso will not be required to pay visa fees,” said Security Minister Mahamadou Sana after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday.
While the fees have been scrapped, travellers will still need to complete an online visa application for approval, the minister clarified.
With this decision, Burkina Faso joins countries like Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya that have recently eased entry requirements for African visitors. Citizens of West African states can already enter Burkina Faso without visas, but this arrangement may change since the country—along with Mali and Niger—has withdrawn from the regional bloc, Ecowas.
Capt Traoré, who came to power in a 2022 coup, presents himself as a Pan-Africanist leader while frequently criticising Western influence and colonialism. His popularity across Africa has been amplified by social media, though often through exaggerated narratives. At home, however, he faces criticism for authoritarian tendencies, his suppression of dissent, and ongoing insecurity caused by Islamist insurgents who control roughly 40% of the country.
Despite seeking new security partnerships with Russia, attacks remain frequent, and stability elusive.
According to the junta’s information service, eliminating visa fees underscores Burkina Faso’s Pan-African vision and aims to encourage tourism, promote Burkinabe culture, and enhance the nation’s visibility abroad.
The move also aligns with the African Union’s broader push for easier intra-African travel. Earlier this year, Ghana waived visas for all African passport holders, while Rwanda already grants Africans visa-free entry.
