Burkina Faso Scraps Visa Charges For All Africans

The Republic of Burkina Faso has officially scrapped visa fees for all African travellers, taking a significant step toward enhancing the free movement of people and goods across the continent.

The announcement was made by Security Minister Mahamadou Sana after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday, September 11.

“From now on, any citizen of an African country wishing to travel to Burkina Faso will not be required to pay visa fees,” Sana declared.

According to the BBC, travellers will still need to complete an online visa application, which will undergo review before approval

This move follows similar measures by countries such as Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have recently eased or eliminated visa requirements for African citizens.

Currently, citizens of West African nations can already visit Burkina Faso without visas under regional agreements. However, this arrangement may evolve, as Burkina Faso along with Mali and Niger recently withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) amid tensions over their military-led governments.

Captain Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has styled himself as a Pan-Africanist leader, openly criticising Western influence and colonial legacies. His populist stance has made him a popular figure across Africa, amplified by social media campaigns portraying him as a revolutionary symbol.

The government’s information service described the new policy as a reflection of Burkina Faso’s Pan-African ideals, saying it would “promote tourism, showcase Burkinabè culture, and improve the country’s international visibility.”

While several African countries have taken steps to simplify intra-African travel, studies continue to highlight that it is often easier for Western citizens to access African nations than for Africans to travel within the continent. The African Union (AU) has been advocating for greater integration through the removal of barriers to the movement of people and goods a vision Burkina Faso’s latest move directly supports

Burkina Faso scraps visa fees for all African travellers

Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced that nationals of African countries will still be required to apply online for entry visas, which will be reviewed and, once approved, issued free of charge.

Mahamadou Sana… pic.twitter.com/m16N7sQ5QZ

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Source: PulseGhana