Burkina Faso Waives Visa Fees for All African Travelers to Boost Integration and Tourism
Burkina Faso has eliminated visa fees for citizens of all African countries, aiming to ease the movement of people and goods while promoting tourism and cultural exchange.
Security Minister Mahamadou Sana announced the policy on Thursday, September 12, following a cabinet meeting chaired by 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 stated. African visitors must still submit an online application for review and approval, but no payment is required.
The junta’s information service described the move as a commitment to Pan-Africanism, enhancing regional integration and boosting Burkina Faso’s global visibility.
It aligns with similar policies in Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, which have relaxed entry rules for Africans to foster continental unity.
West African citizens already enjoy visa-free access, but this could evolve following Burkina Faso’s withdrawal from ECOWAS alongside Mali and Niger, all under military rule.
Traoré, who seized power in a 2022 coup, positions himself as a Pan-African champion, often critiquing Western influence.
The policy arrives amid ongoing jihadist threats controlling about 40% of Burkina Faso’s territory, despite Traoré’s pledges for security and Russian partnerships
