President of Burkina Faso, Ibrahim Traore scraps visa fees for all African travelers. Image credit: BBC.
(The Post News) – Burkina Faso has announced it is scrapping visa fees for all African travellers, in a move the military-led government says is aimed at boosting regional integration and easing the flow of people and goods across its borders.
Minister of Security Confirms Visa Free in Burkina Faso
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana confirmed the decision following a cabinet meeting chaired by junta leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré on Thursday.
“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 told reporters. He explained that while entry fees had been removed, travellers would still need to submit an online visa application for approval.
The junta’s information service said the new policy reflects Burkina Faso’s Pan-Africanist stance. “This free visa system for African nationals will also help promote tourism and Burkinabe culture, and improve Burkina Faso’s visibility abroad,” the statement read.
Burkina Faso Scraps Visa Fees Joining Ghana
Burkina Faso joins a growing list of African countries easing travel requirements for fellow Africans, including Ghana, Rwanda and Kenya. Earlier this year, Ghana announced visa-free travel for all African passport holders, while Kenya and Rwanda have introduced similar measures.
For now, citizens of West African countries already enjoy visa-free entry to Burkina Faso under regional protocols. However, that arrangement could face changes after Burkina Faso, Mali and Niger withdrew from the Economic Community of West African States (Ecowas) earlier this year.
Captain Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, has positioned himself as a Pan-African leader often critical of Western influence and colonial legacies. His popularity, fuelled by social media, is particularly strong among young Africans who view him as a symbol of defiance and unity.
However, critics argue his government’s authoritarian style and handling of dissent, coupled with worsening insecurity, undermine his leadership. Burkina Faso remains mired in a jihadist insurgency, with about 40% of its territory outside state control despite new military partnerships, including with Russia.
The African Union has long pushed for freer movement across the continent. Analysts say visa reforms like Burkina Faso’s could improve intra-African trade and people-to-people ties, but challenges remain in balancing security concerns with openness.
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