Burkina Faso has announced that citizens of all African countries can now enter the nation without paying visa fees, a move aimed at boosting regional integration and trade.
Mahamadou Sana, the security minister, made the announcement on Thursday after a cabinet meeting chaired by military leader Captain Ibrahim Traoré.
He explained that while visas will remain mandatory, applications will be processed online at no cost to African travellers.
With this decision, Burkina Faso joins a growing list of African nations, including Ghana, Rwanda, and Kenya, that have eased entry requirements to encourage free movement across the continent.
Captain Traoré, who came to power in a 2022 coup, has consistently projected himself as a defender of Pan-Africanism while maintaining a critical stance toward the West and former colonial powers.
His popularity has soared among some Africans, thanks in part to social media, though he has also faced criticism for his authoritarian governance style and his handling of the country’s jihadist insurgency.
Like its Sahel neighbours Mali and Niger, Burkina Faso continues to grapple with Islamist violence, with nearly 40% of its territory estimated to be under militant control.
Despite promises of improved security and closer ties with Russia, deadly attacks remain frequent.
The government says the removal of visa fees demonstrates its commitment to Pan-African ideals, and will also boost tourism, promote Burkinabe culture, and enhance the country’s international profile.
This comes as part of a wider African Union campaign to ease movement across the continent. Earlier this year, Ghana granted visa-free access to all African passport holders, while Kenya and Rwanda have also implemented policies to simplify cross-border travel.
Burkina Faso’s decision, however, is unfolding against the backdrop of strained relations with its West African neighbours.
Alongside Mali and Niger, the country has withdrawn from the regional bloc Ecowas and deepened ties with Russia, distancing itself from France, its former colonial ruler.