Burkina Faso has announced visa-free entry for all African nationals, in a move aimed at easing the movement of people and goods across the continent.
“From now on, any citizen from an African country wishing to go to Burkina Faso will not pay any amount to cover visa fees,” Security Minister Mahamadou Sana said after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Capt Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday.
While visa fees have been scrapped, African visitors will still be required to submit an online visa application, which will be subject to approval, the minister clarified.
The West African nation now joins Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya in relaxing entry requirements for African travellers, in line with wider African Union (AU) efforts to promote free movement on the continent.
Capt Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has often presented himself as a champion of Pan-Africanism while criticising colonial influence and the West. His popularity has been boosted across the continent, partly through social media, though he has also faced criticism for authoritarianism and failing to quell the ongoing Islamist insurgency that grips about 40% of the country.
In a statement, the junta said the policy underscores Burkina Faso’s commitment to Pan-African ideals and regional integration. “This free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” it added.
Several African states have introduced similar policies in recent years. Ghana announced visa-free entry for all African passport holders earlier this year, while Kenya and Rwanda already allow Africans to travel without visas, though in some cases online authorisation is still required.
It remains unclear whether Burkina Faso’s move will help strengthen its ties with neighbouring states. The country, together with Mali and Niger, recently withdrew from the regional bloc Ecowas to form a new alliance and has pivoted from former colonial power France towards Russia.